Landless octogenarian couple lends might to Tikri stir

Parvesh Sharma

Tribune News Service

Barnala, December 29

An 81-year-old man and his 80-year-old wife from Kattu village in Barnala have been inspiring many at Tikri, the epicentre of protests against the Centre’s farm laws.

Landless and childless, the couple claims the fight is for the betterment of Punjab and to safeguard the interests of the future generations.

While Jagir Kaur returned home last week owing to poor health after putting up at the Delhi border for a fortnight, Sukhdev Singh has been mobilising support in the village since Day One.

“Ours is a selfless fight as we neither have children, nor do we own any land. How will farmers survive if corporates snatch away their land? The ‘black’ laws must go!” says Kaur, anxious about the protesters she had to leave behind in extreme cold.

She plans to return to Tikri in a day or two. “The biting cold probably took a toll on me. But this time, I am determined to fight till the end,” says Kaur, asking her nephew Babu to show her a video from the protest site that has gone viral on social media.

An enraged Sukhdev calls it a struggle to “save the motherland”. “Punjabis have won many a battle in the past. History is replete with examples. We will win this one too,” he says. The duo survives on meagre old age pension and the support of villagers and relatives.