Farmers pay tributes to Mahatma Gandhi

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, January 30

Farmers and other sections of society observed fast on the 73rd death anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi here on Saturday. The farmers observed fast on a call given by the Samyukta Kisan Morcha.

The event was organised under the banner of the United Kisan Morcha. Speaking on the occasion, farmer leaders stated that the government was dancing to the tunes of corporate houses and did not care for the majority of the population.

“The farm laws were rushed through Parliament and sentiments and aspirations of the farming community were ignored. Despite over 170 farmers died during the protest, the government was still trying dirty tactics to end the protest instead of resolving the issue,” said farmer leader Rattan Singh Randhawa.

Baldev Singh Bel said, “The enactment of these laws is not only unconstitutional but also a brazen attempt to disregard the existing constitutional institutions and destroy the very foundation of our socio-economic structure.” He said the repression of pro-people organisations, prominent citizens, false cases against the farmer leaders under UAPA, use of violence and killing of a young farmer from UP on January 26 and attempts to forcefully evict farmers from the protest sites were some of calculated moves to muzzle the voice of farmers of the country.

The speakers strongly condemned the government and expressed solidarity with the protesting farmers who were determined to force the government to repeal these black laws.

Prof Jagrup Singh Sekhon gave a call to the conscientious citizens of the country to join hands to defeat the communal and fascist forces in the country which were hell bent on destroying the social fabric of society. “The need of the hour is to stand with the farmers and ensure the safety and security of the citizens in the country,” he said. Among others who addressed the gathering included advocate Kamaljit Kaur and Mukhtar Singh Mohawa.

Sanyukat Kisan Morcha, hundreds of workers of farmer, labour, employees and trade unions observed fast on “Sadbhavna Divas” marking the 73rd death anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi at the local Gandhi Municipal Park here on Saturday.

Bant Singh Brar, state president of the AITUC, Mangat Ram Pasla, national-level trade union leader, Harbhajan Singh, Daljit Singh Dayalpura, farmers’ leader Pirthipal Singh Marimegha, Nachhatar Singh Jodha, Satnam Singh Johal and Rajinder Kaur were among other leaders of different organisations. Workers of the Jamhooi Kisan Sabha, the Kisan Sangharsh Committee, Punjab (Kot Budha), the Azad Kisan Sangharsh Committee, Punjab, the All-India Kisan Sabha along with workers, youngsters, women and trade unions also observed fast. Workers of the controversial Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee, Punjab, did not observe “Sadbhavana Divas”.

The leaders said the Union Government wanted to crush the farmers’ agitation. They appealed for repealing the controversial farm laws as these were not acceptable to the farmers and other sections of society. They alleged that these farm laws were introduced and enacted for the benefit of the corporate sector ignoring the well-being of the farmers and poor sections of society.

The leaders alerted the farmers and others to the nefarious designs of divisive forces which wanted to derail the present agitation. They said there was no question of withdrawing the ongoing Delhi morcha which was garnering.

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