BKU to take part in Feb 22 Delhi march

The Bhartiya Kisan Union (Doaba) has announced its participation in the upcoming programme at the Shambhu border on Friday to mark the death anniversary of Shubhkaran, a farm protester. The decision was taken during a meeting of BKU (Doaba) leaders and members held at Gurudwara Sukhchaina Sahib in Phagwara. The meeting was presided over by BKU (Doaba) president Manjit Singh Rai.

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State general secretary of BKU (Doaba), Satnam Singh Sahni, disclosed that the gathering aimed to mobilise support for two significant events: a mass congregation at the Shambhu border on February 21 and a farmers' march towards Delhi on February 25. Additionally, discussions were held regarding the long-pending arrears of sugarcane farmers owed by Golden Sandhar Sugar Mill, Phagwara.

As per the plan, 10 to 15 activists from each BKU (Doaba) circle will travel in private vehicles to Ladowal toll plaza in Ludhiana on February 21, from where they will proceed collectively to the Shambhu border. On February 25, a larger contingent of 500 activists will gather at the same location before marching towards Shambhu border, out of which 101 farmers will continue for Delhi.

During the meeting, the leaders raised concerns over the unpaid sugarcane dues from the 2021-22 period, amounting to approximately Rs 27-28 crore. They alleged that the Gurjit Rana Group, which took over Golden Sandhar Sugar Mill, had assured farmers of clearing the pending payments, but not a single rupee had been disbursed even after two years.

The union leaders warned that if the payments were not made, BKU (Doaba) would announce a stringent protest action after February 25 to press for the release of arrears.

The upcoming events and protest strategies reflect the growing discontent among farmers over delayed payments and unresolved financial grievances, highlighting their determination to seek justice through collective action.