Counter BJP ‘propaganda’, farmer unions tell cadre

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, December 4

Nothing will cow us down, say leaders of farm unions who are protesting against the three contentious laws at the borders of Delhi for eight days now.

During a marathon meeting of 30 farmer unions, the members joined hands to counter the ‘BJP propaganda’ against their agitation and keeping mischievous elements at bay. Fearing that certain persons could try to defame their peaceful agitation, the leaders have asked their cadres to report any unknown elements found at the stir sites

Joginder Singh Ugrahan, president of the largest farmer union in Punjab, the BKU (Ekta Ugrahan), while talking to The Tribune over the phone, said, “If the laws are so good, as the BJP propaganda machinery is trying to say, why not repeal them, get a wider public consensus, and then implement them again? The government knows that these laws will never get public support.”

A number of activists and intellectuals are supporting them and guiding them in the course of negotiations with the Centre. As part of the stir, all sportspersons who have received government awards will be returning them to the Centre on December 7.

“We will win this fight with the Centre. The laws threaten not just our livelihoods. They will hit the consumers hard as prices of all commodities will be dictated by the corporates, in whose control the Centre wants to hand over the farming operations. Thus, the Punjab model of gheraoing toll plazas operated by corporates across the country will be launched,” said Jagmohan Singh Patiala, general secretary of the BKU (Dakaunda).