KMM burns copies of ‘anti-people’ Bills in Amritsar
The Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM) on Tuesday organised protests during Lohri celebrations across 20 districts of Punjab by burning copies of the alleged anti-people Bills proposed by the Central Government. The protests were held in cities, towns and villages, where copies of the Electricity Amendment Bill 2025, Seed Bill 2025, VB-G-Ram-G Bill 2025 and tax-free agreements were burnt in Lohri bonfires.
The protests took place in Amritsar, Gurdaspur, Hoshiarpur, Jalandhar, Kapurthala, Tarn Taran, Ferozepur, Moga, Ludhiana, Barnala, Sri Muktsar Sahib, Fazilka, Bathinda, Sangrur, Mansa, Patiala, Mohali, Ropar, Fatehgarh Sahib and Nawanshahr, said Kisan Sangharsh Committee general secretary Sarwan Singh Pandher.
The Morcha alleged that the laws have been brought under the influence of international institutions such as the WTO, World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF), and are aimed at benefiting corporate houses at the cost of common people.
Despite severe cold, a large number of farmers, labourers, employees, women, students, urban residents and small traders participated in the protests. The organisation said the massive participation reflected public anger against the Central Government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Punjab government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann.
The Morcha alleged that the Central Government was bringing laws against public interest and weakening the federal structure by making laws on subjects like electricity, seeds, agriculture, education and water, which fall under the states’ domain. It also accused the Punjab government of supporting these corporate-friendly policies instead of opposing them.
The organisation further claimed that ongoing movements in Punjab were being defamed and suppressed. It warned that new policies were slowly destroying small businesses, shopkeepers and street vendors by promoting online trade and large shopping malls.
During the protests, resolutions were also passed against rising drug abuse, unemployment among youth and the deteriorating law and order situation in the state. The Morcha said both the Centre and the Punjab government had failed to address these serious issues.
The Kisan Mazdoor Morcha announced a series of upcoming programmes, including questioning the Punjab Chief Minister at Majitha rally on January 18, submitting smart meters to electricity offices on January 21 and 22, and staging protests outside the houses of MLAs and ministers on February 5.
Several other farmer unions and transport organisations, including BKU Krantikari, BKU Doaba, BKU Azad, BKU Bahramke, Punjab Roadways, PRTC and other allied bodies, also extended support to the protests.
