Punjab farmers' 2 factions, 2 protests: Faces behind twin stirs

After the farmer agitation ended in December 2021, differences emerged within the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) members, leading to the creation of the SKM (Non-Political), which later transformed into the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM). While the KMM is organising ‘Dilli Chalo’ on February 13 , the SKM is spearheading ‘Bharat Bandh’ on February 16, explains Sanjeev Singh Bariana

Kisan Mazdoor Morcha

BKU (Ekta-Sidhupur)

Belonging to Dallewal village of Faridkot, Jagjit Singh Dallewal, state president of the Bharti Kisan Union (Ekta-Sidhupur), has a handsome following in the peasantry class of the region. The KMM coordinator Dallewal was elected president of the union for the third time in a row in September 2022.

KMSC

An impressive orator, Sarwan Singh Pandher, general secretary, KMSC, has gradually established himself as a tall leader of farmers’ movement in Majha. A baptised Sikh, he had joined a course for the purpose at Sikh Missionary College, Anandpur Sahib. He also remained president of the district unit of the BKU (Ugrahan) for a long time.

BKU (Krantikari)

Surjit Singh Phul, president of the BKU (Krantikari) from Bathinda, was among 25 farmers who discussed agri laws with the Centre before the stir ended. Known for his opposition to farm laws, he was booked under the UAPA by the Punjab Government in 2009 when he was accused of links with the Maoists.

Partners

The SKM (Non-Political) has claimed to have support of at least 200 organisations nationally 16 from Punjab.

Dismissal of Union Minister among demands

• Legal guarantee for MSP and complete loan waiver of farmers
• Fixing crop prices based on the Swaminathan Commission formula
• Fair and remunerative price (FRP) for sugarcane
• Land in Delhi to construct a memorial for the “martyrs of the year-long stir”
• Dismissal of Union Minister Ajay Mishra and cancellation of bail to his son Ashish Mishra for Lakhimpur Kheri incident

Samyukt Kisan Morcha

BKU (Rajewal)

Balbir Singh Rajewal (80), president of the BKU (Rajewal), was one of the prominent faces in the year-long farmers’ protest that had forced the Centre to withdraw the three farm laws. Later, Rajewal floated the Sanyukt Samaj Morcha (SSM) to contest the 2022 Punjab Assembly elections which he lost by a huge margin.

BKU (Ugrahan)

Joginder Singh Ugrahan, president of the BKU (Ugrahan), served the Army for about one-and-a-half years. Later, he joined the Naujwan Bharat Sabha in 1979. In 1984, he joined the BKU, headed by Bhupinder Singh Mann. After a split in 1989, he joined the BKU (Lakhowal) and later the BKU (Sidhupur). He set up the BKU (Ugrahan), which has nearly 2,000 units in state.

All-India Kisan Federation

An advocate by profession at the Punjab and Haryana High Court, Prem Singh Bhangu, president of state unit of the All-India Kisan Federation, is associated with the movement for civil rights since his student days. He was the vice-president of the Students’ Federation of India during 1990s.

Other group members

The major farmer organisations in the group include BKU (Rajewal), BKU (Kadian), Kirti Kisan Union, Azad Kisan Sangharsh Committee, Punjab Kisan Union, Kirti Kisan Union (Hardev), Jamhoori Kisan Sabha, Indian Farmers’ Association, Kirti Kisan Morcha (Ropar), Doaba Kisan Sangharsh Committee, Koumi Kisan Union and Kisan Committee (Doaba).

Demands

• MSP as per Dr Swaminathan formula
• Debt waiver and crop insurance for farmers
• Social security of Rs 10,000 per month
• Justice for Lakhimpuri Kheri victims
• Withdrawal of cases against farmers
• Resolution of river water disputes