Thirty-eight “martyr” farmers, who lost their lives during the ongoing agitation against the Centre’s three farm acts, were paid rich tributes at nearly 400 places in Punjab on Sunday, with the farmers’ unions pledging not to draw back till the time three “black” laws were repealed.
Even as the farmers’ leaders, holding the fort in the national capital, declared to further intensify their agitation against the struggle at an all India level, the farmers protesting back home in Punjab maintained that every effort would be made to ensure that the agitation, which has turned into a mass movement, would not shrivel.
The farmers unions are planning to send more jathas (groups) to the protesting site at Delhi borders, having more strength of the womenfolk and children, to further pressurize the Centre.
“We would be sending the convoys of farmers from across Punjab…Farmers will to travel to Delhi. Farmers, across the State, are outraged over the apathetic attitude adopted by the Union Government. We will also ensure to enhance the participation of women from Punjab in the coming days at Delhi borders,” said Bhartiya Kisan Union, Ekta-Dakonda’s general secretary Jagmohan Singh Patiala.
He said that a large convoy of BKU (Dakonda) would leave for Delhi on December 22 from Sultanpur-Lodhi (Kapurthala), with many more to follow.
The decision came on the day the farmers’ unions, across the nation, paid rich tributes to the farmers, who “sacrificed” their lives for the cause. As per the information received through All India Kisan Sangharsh Coordination Committee (AIKSCC), no less than 50 lakh people participated in the Kisan Lahar at about 90,000 places in 22 states across the country.
“At nearly 380 places across Punjab, in the villages of the martyred farmers, and at the ongoing permanent dharnas at block level and toll plazas, outside Reliance pumps, Corporate malls, houses of the BJP leaders, the 38 martyred farmers, who died during the protests in Delhi and Punjab and in road accidents, were remembered,” said Jagmohan.
“Tributes were paid to the martyrs in public gatherings held in villages and towns across Punjab by organizations as well as social and religious organizations.
A pledge was made to continue the struggle till the black laws are repealed,” he said, while adding that their sacrifice would not be allowed to go unnoticed.
Criticizing the Centre, the farmers’ leaders said that the Government was paving way for the foreign and corporate investment in the agricultural sector. As many as 700 million people in the country are involved in the agriculture sector, and their livelihood is at stake with these laws.
FARMERS’ CONDEMNS ARREST OF HARYANA’S FARM LEADERS
A conglomeration of 32 farmers’ organizations in Punjab on Sunday strongly condemned the arrest of Haryana’s farmers’ leaders, while demanding their “immediate release”.
“The Khattar government has resorted to repression which is strongly condemned by the organizations across the country…We strongly condemn the arrests of farmers by Haryana Police and Haryana Government for violating the fundamental freedom and democratic rights of the people. We demand their immediate release,” said Jagmohan Singh Patiala, on the behalf of all farm unions.
Notably, in Chandpura village on Narnaul-Rewari road in Mahendragarh district of Haryana, a prominent Kisan leaders — Balbir Singh Yadav, Amar Singh and Abhay Singh — were arrested on Sunday and detained at a Police Station in Mahendragarh district.
CENTRE MAY INVITE FARMERS’ ORGANIZATIONS FOR TALKS IN A DAY OR TWO: BJP LEADER
At a time when the talks on resolving the ongoing deadlock between the Centre and the farmers were completely stalled with both adopting an adamant attitude, a senior leader of the BJP on Sunday maintained that the Central Government may soon invite the farmers for meeting.
Senior BJP leader Harjit Singh Grewal, who is also a member of Punjab BJP’s eight-member panel formed to hold talks with the agitating farmers, said that the Centre is likely to invite the leaders of various farmer’s organizations protesting in Delhi borders for another round of talks in a day or two. Grewal stated that the Central Government has come up with a way to resolve the conflict. “The government is intending to have another round of talks with the agitating farmers to reach a common ground. The Centre will be inviting the farmers’ organization in a day or two,” he said.
BKU-KADIAN TO COLLECT FUNDS TO SUPPORT MARTYRED-FARMERS’ FAMILIES
Standing rock solid behind those who sacrificed their lives during the ongoing struggle against the Centre’s farm laws, the Bharti Kisan Union (Kadian) has announced to collect funds and distribute among the families of the deceased farmers.
“Our brave martyrs, who have lost their lives in this battle, have indebted all of us for generations to come. The BKU Kadian will support them whole-heartedly…Whatever funds we will collect, we will distribute it among the families of the deceased farmers after the protest is over,” said BKU Kadian spokesperson Ricky Brar.
Brar said that the Union’s representatives would be visiting their villages “personally”, to pay their homage and tribute. “We will also request our people to support their families and the education of their children,” he said.
“We have gathered here for the cause of getting our rights back…The women including pregnant, small children, aged are braving the cold with smiles only for their future,” said Brar while expressing gratitude towards all those who are supporting the cause here in India and throughout the globe.