A kisan memorial, Yadgar-e-Shaheedaan, having the names of farmers who laid down their lives during the year log agitation against the Centre’s three farm laws engraved on it, was inaugurated on Wednesday in Sangrur.
Punjab PWD Minister Vijay Inder Singla, inaugurating the one-of-its-kind memorial, said that the farmers laid down their lives against the anti-farmer policies of Narendra Modi Government and created history by following the preachings of the Sikh Gurus, just like the Sikhs’ ninth Guru had sacrificed his life for the sake of humanity.
“Every section of Punjab has contributed in this farmers’ protest irrespective of their caste, religion, or profession. We, in Punjab, have a history of celebrating martyrdom. This memorial is our tribute to those brave souls who sacrificed their lives for the noble cause,” said Singla.
The PWD Minister asserted that he is proud of being a Punjabi, a community that played a leading role in mobilizing the farmers and labourers of India and forcing the Union Government to repeal three ‘black’ farm laws that otherwise would have wrecked India’s agriculture sector had they been implemented. “More than 700 people sacrificed their lives in this historical protest that persisted peacefully for one year despite all the efforts by Union Government to discredit the noble cause and farm unions,” he added.
Declaring to “take care of their families”, the Minister also felicitated the families of the martyred farmers and labourers belonging to Sangrur district while inaugurating the memorial.
He also assured them that the Punjab government has always stood by them and will extend every possible assistance in future also.