13-year-old’s poems inspire Tikri protesters

Tribune News Service

Bathinda, December 19

A 13-year-old girl, Khushbir Kaur Mattu, from Bir Khurd village in Mansa has become a centre of attraction among protesting farmers at the Delhi-Tikri border for her poems in support of the stir against the farm laws. The huge gathering breaks into applause when she recites her poems with progressive and revolutionary slant.

A student of Class-VIII at Government Senior Secondary School, Bir hodla, Kaur has taken part in protests against farm laws during the ‘rail roko’ and Bharat Bandh call given by farmer unions. Her poems, ‘Pagdi Sambhal Jatta’, ‘Kisan’ and ‘Sun Dilhiye’ among others touch upon various aspects of the agrarian crisis in the state that has been getting an overwhelming response from the protesters. Her videos on social media platforms have also been getting a tremendous response.

Talking to The Tribune, Khushbir said: “I will continue to raise my voice against injustice and harassment of people. I stand by farmers in their struggle against the new farm laws. The agitation by farmers is not just about protecting the peasantry, it’s a battle for their existence and future. It is of paramount significance that we win this battle. Giving reins of control of the agriculture sector in the hands of corporate houses would spell doom for the peasantry in the state.”