The Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) had a shaky start in Maharashtra on Saturday, as it held its first Kisan Maha Panchayat at Wardha in Maharashtra but it had to cancel a similar farmers’ gathering at Yavatmal on Saturday owing to Covid-19 restrictions imposed there.
An estimated 5,000 farmers owing allegiance to 40-odd peasant organisations turned out for the Kisan Maha Panchayat convened at Wardha in eastern Maharashtra to create awareness among the people about the three controversial farm laws and the demand for repeal for these legislations.
High-profile SKM leader Rakesh Tikait was conspicuous by his absence. SKM member Guramneet Singh Mangat said that Tikait could not reach Nagpur by flight from Delhi on Friday night owing to certain issues. “However, we decided to go ahead with Maha Panchayats at Wardha and Yavatmal,” Mangat said.
A team of farmer leaders, who reached Wardha by road from the national capital by road, addressed the farmers at the Kisan Maha Panchayat. The Panchayat passed peacefully.
Among those who addressed the Kisan Panchayat at Wardha were Tejveer Singh, Spokesperson of Bharatiya Kisan Union (Cheduni) and Amandeep Singh Ghuman and General Secretary of Pagdi Sambhal Jatta Leher in Punjab.
After the event at Wardha, the SKM leaders left Wardha for Yavatmal where prohibitory orders have been in force since Friday. As a consequence, the police denied permission to the SKM at the last minute to hold its Kisan Maha Panchayat there.
At the Yavatmal border, the SKM leaders were welcomed by Vasantrao Naik Sheti Swavalamban Mission (VNSSM) President Kishore Tiwari, who has been accorded a Minister of State status by the Maharashtra government.
“I received them on behalf of our Chief Minister Uddhav Thackerayji. I conveyed the CM’s message that the Maha Panchayat cannot be allowed in view of the deteriorated Covid-19 situation in the state. However, Maharashtra would look forward to a fresh Maha Panchayat after the situation improves here,” Tiwari said.
Tiwari thanked Mangat, other SKM leaders and 7 other representatives from Nagpur, for honouring the CM’s request and postponing the Kisan Maha Panchayat for a later date.