Protest demonstration by Punjab farmers in New Delhi

New Delhi, March 16, 2015: Thousands of farmers from Punjab under the leadership of Bharti Kissan Union (BKU) Ekta (Dakaunda) and Azad Kissan Sangarsh Committee (AKSC), held a massive demonstration in New Delhi. The procession was started from the historic Bangla Sahib Gurdwara and reached the Parliament Street, by shouting anti government slogans. The BKU held this demonstration to press its just demands, especially demanding nullification of Land Acquisition Act, just passed by the Lok Sabha under the BJP led NDA government. The demonstration was marked with significant participation of farm women.

The procession was stopped by the Delhi police by putting barricades and the farmers held its protest rally. Addressing the gathering, state president of the organisation Boota Singh Burjgill challenged that the government shall not be allowed to acquire fertile farm lands, which is treated like mother and the main source of livelihood of majority of the Indian masses. The new Land Acquisition Ordinance is a tool to displace farmers at the cost of big corporate and land sharks. He asserted that they would not allow to implement this draconian legacy of Imperial regime and to carry out prolonged struggle to get it abrogated. Today’s demonstration is just a symbolic protest to warn the government, he claimed.

Harjinder Singh Tanda, President of Azad Kissan Sangarsh Committee explained in detail, the anti-people nature of the Ordinance and how it would uproot lakhs of poor, small and medium land-holders, who are still dependant on agriculture due to lack of viable and alternative sources of meaningful human living. 

Jagmohan Singh Patiala, State General Secretary of BKU and Jasbir Singh, Gandiwind State Secretary of AKSC, criticised the BJP government and blamed it for backtracking from its promises, of implementation of Swaminathan Committee’s Reports recommendations. The peasant leaders claimed that implementation of the Report is long-pending demand of farmers organisations, which ensures remunerative prices to the farmers. The farmers can only get some relief from its application and avoid committing suicides.

Another leaders from both the organisations, Manjeet Singh Dhaner and Harjeet Singh Jheeta also attacked BJP led government for its planned policy to abandon procurement of farm products by government agency and proposals of dismantling FCI, as put forth by Shanta Kumar Committee. It would not only deprive farm community from its benefits, but also jeopardise lives of crores of BPL families, who are dependent on PDS, though full of inconsistencies. 

Nahar Singh Bhairoopa, state vice president and Kulwant Singh Kishangarh, while addressing the gathering alleged that the Punjab government, an ally of BJP has gone one step further to suppress the genuine voice of struggling masses, by enacting “ The  Punjab Public & Private Property (Prevention to Damage) Bill- 2014. They demanded annulment of this anti-people piece of legislation, which is pending with union government for approval. 

Besides, another prominent leaders of the Unions, like Mohinder Singh Dyalpur, Gora Singh Bhainibagha, Darshan Soingh Ugoke, Dr. Darsshan Paul, Sattwant Singh Wazidpur, Baldev Singh Bhairupa, Sukhwinder Singh Bawa, Karam Singh Balial,  sukhdev singh  Baldkalan, Harnek Singh Mehma, Darshan singh Galib and Bohar Singh Muktsar, Baba Mohinder Singh Beipuin and  Kulwinder singh  Dhandh  also spoke on this occasion and participated along with huge followers.

In the end, the leaders from both the organisations handed over its memorandum to the senior official from the Agriculture Ministry and PM Office. The demonstration was wound up in the wake of sky-reaching slogans with a determination to launch continuous struggles till their demands are met and implemented.