Farmers victorious: Mobilisation drive on for agitation anniversary

Aparna Banerji

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, November 20

A huge mobilisation of farmers on the lines of those seen in the past, including that on January 26, is expected at the Delhi border on the first anniversary of the Kisan Andolan on November 26.

The call has only been intensified in the wake of the declaration by the PM to withdraw the three farm laws yesterday. On the call of the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) and the respective member-farm outfits to their cadre, cavalcades and jathas of farmers have begun heading to the Delhi border again.

PM’s statement not enough

The government should know the andolan won’t just end with a mere statement by the PM. The statement should be backed by action. Manjit Singh Rai, BKU Doaba Chief

While some unions have assigned duties to circle and district heads, others have called for at least 500 farmers from the state heading to Delhi each day. Farmers in huge numbers will stay put at the Delhi border until the three farm laws are formally withdrawn in Parliament.

In the preliminary SKM meet held today, the unions also discussed legislation on the minimum support price (MSP) as a key demand.

Manjit Singh Rai, president, Bharti Kisan Union Doaba, said: “We are calling everyone to come in trolleys just the way we started the stir. The protest at the Delhi border will continue the way it had started till the time the government agrees to our every single demand. Other demands — key being MSP — will also be discussed. District and circle-wise duties have been assigned to mobilise farmers. Thousands of farmers will arrive between November 26 and 28 from our Union alone.”

Sukhdev Singh Kokri Kalan, general secretary, Bhartiya Kisan Union (Ugrahan), said: “We are not returning back based on just PM’s statement. Until we have the document signed by the President that the three laws have been repealed, we are not budging. All members have already been asked to head to the Delhi and jathas have started arriving. A huge gathering of farmers has been planned for November 26 as well as the first day of the winter session of Parliament, when the government is expected to formally repeal the laws. From November 24 to 26, many more farmers will be arriving.”

Balwinder Singh, president, Majha Kisan Sagharsh Committee, said: “The government must formally repeal the laws and constitute a committee on the MSP. Farmers will stay at the border until they are convinced of action on both issues. We have asked our members to head to Delhi for the anniversary and the Parliament session on November 29.”

Two-day ‘Rail Roko’ from December 13

Amritsar: The Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee has announced two-day ‘Rail Roko’ from Dec 13, saying most of their demands remained unfulfilled. A gathering at Udonangal village on Saturday mobilised people for the Nov 26 rally at the Singhu border.