SKM to hold ‘victory rally’ in Samrala on Aug 24

The Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM), Punjab, will organise a ‘victory rally’ in Samrala on August 24 to celebrate its successful resistance against the controversial land pooling policy and to highlight pressing agrarian concerns. The rally will bring together farmer unions, labour groups and allied organisations from across the state.

At a meeting held today at Karnail Singh Isru Bhavan in Ludhiana, SKM leaders Ruldu Singh Mansa, Baljit Singh Garewal and Boota Singh Shadipur presided over discussions that focused on water scarcity, the free trade agreement, cooperative sector challenges and the plight of flood-affected farmers.

The SKM declared the cancellation of the land pooling notification by the Punjab Government as a major victory for farmers. Leaders alleged that the policy was designed to dispossess farmers of fertile land and convert it into corporate land banks. They credited the collective struggle of farmers, workers and citizens for forcing the government to withdraw the notification.

The meeting also addressed the participation of two SKM-affiliated unions—Doaba Kisan Union and IPD Kisan Bachao Morcha—in a recent meeting with Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan. Their leaders, Kuldeep Singh Wazidpur and Kirpa Singh Nathuwala, were accused of attending the meeting without the SKM’s consent and thanking Prime Minister Narendra Modi, even as SKM was protesting against him. The SKM unanimously decided to expel both unions from the alliance.

SKM leaders announced that the planned gherao of Finance Minister Harpal Cheema on August 19 had been postponed to prioritise the Samrala rally. However, they warned that if sugarcane dues were not cleared by August 21, a protest programme would be announced from the rally stage.

The SKM also demanded adequate compensation for flood victims and condemned the alleged mistreatment of contractual teachers. The Punjab Government was urged to engage with teachers, accept their demands and implement proper pay scales.

Prominent farmer leaders present at the meeting included Balbir Singh Rajewal, Joginder Singh Ugrahan, Harinder Singh Lakhowal, Nirbhay Singh Dhudike, Harmit Singh Kadian, Baldev Singh Nihalgarh, Boota Singh Burj Gill, Angrez Singh Bhadaur, Dr. Satnam Singh Ajnala, Jangveer Singh Chauhan, Dr. Darshan Pal, Furman Singh Sandhu, Prem Singh Bhangu, Malook Singh Heerke, Veer Singh Barwa, Bagh Singh Mansa, Sukhdev Singh Araianwala, Nirwail Singh Daleke, Keval Singh Khaira, Raminder Singh Patiala, Gurnam Singh Bhikhi and Mukesh Chander Sharma.

The rally in Samrala is expected to be a show of strength and solidarity, with SKM leaders vowing to continue their struggle for farmers’ rights and rural justice.