Agricultural chores dampen morcha spirit of some farmers

Mahesh Sharma

Mandi Ahmedgarh, Feb 17

Many farmers of this part of Malwa, who had played a pivotal role in the first kisan action under the banner of Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM), seem to be unable to summon the enthusiasm they had down then, and were unable to join the ensuing struggle and the Bharat Bandh on February 16.

I cannot afford to leave my fields due to ongoing harvesting of the potato crop. Dalwinder Singh Khangura, a farmer

Reports of ‘repression’ by the Haryana Police against farmers rights activists marching towards Delhi has catalysed enthusiasm among agrarian youths; however, the elderly farmers tilling their farms on their own are shying away from protests due as they are neck deep in agricultural activities.

Harjinder Singh, a farmer from Ahmedgarh Chhanna, said he, like many others, was disappointed that certain SKM leaders — who had gone to the extent of contesting Assembly elections — tend to exploit the morcha and agitations for political gains.

“Though we believe that the Union Government led by Narendra Modi has betrayed the farmers of Punjab by not implementing the demands which were accepted at the withdrawal of the previous morcha, how can we afford to repeat a double whammy by ignoring crops standing in our fields?” said Singh, adding that the situation would worsen if the agitation continues until the first week of March.

He said only the farmers who are cultivating crops jointly with members of their clans can afford to participate in long-drawn protests.

Dalwinder Singh Khangura, a potato cultivator of Rangoowal village in Ludhiana district, said he was very active role during the previous agitation under the banner of SKM, but suffered losses as he had neglected his fields.

He accepted his enthusiasm has cooled due to obvious reasons — intensive involvement that potato cultivation requires.

“Even today I cannot afford to leave my fields due to the ongoing harvesting of the potato crop,” said Khangura, explaining that the quality of potato tubers is affected if the crop is not harvested right at the time of ripening.

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