Amid SKM call for unity among farm unions, Shambhu protester ends life
The Samyukt Kisan Morcha, which led the 2020-21 farmers’ protest on the borders of Delhi, today passed the “Ekta Resolution”, emphasising the need for broad unity among various unions to press for their long-standing demands.
Septuagenarian leader of the SKM (Non-political) Jagjit Singh Dallewal, fasting for 45 days now, has asked all political parties of Punjab to clarify their stand on whether they will come out in support of the farmers, who are demanding a legal guarantee for the MSP among other things.
While this bid for unity among farmer unions marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing agitation, calling for collective action to counter the Central Government’s alleged “anti-farmer” policies, an unfortunate incident at the Shambhu barrier cut short the celebratory mood of the possibility of a joint agitation. A 50-year-old farmer from Tarn Taran, Resham Singh, died by suicide by consuming an insecticide at the Shambhu border.
Later, a press note reportedly found on his person stated, “I, Resham Singh, son of Jagtar Singh, Pahuwind village, am a member of the Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee. As per my understanding, sacrificing lives is important in order to wake up the Modi government and the Punjab Government. So, first and foremost, I am trying to sacrifice my life. Dallewal saab, taking inspiration from your sacrifice, I am sacrificing my life before you,” reads the content of the purported suicide note.
Kisan Mazdoor Manch leader Sarwan Singh Pandher claimed the farmer ended his life to register his protest over the Centre’s reluctance to resolve the issues of farmers.
The postmortem and last rites of Resham Singh would not be performed until the government compensated the family with Rs 25 lakh, offered a government job to next of kin of the deceased and waived the pending loan of the farmer. The body of the farmer would be kept at the hospital mortuary till the time all these demands were met, he said. Demanding an FIR, Pandher said the farmers should trust their leadership and the movement, and not take such extreme steps. Earlier, 57-year-old Ranjodh Singh of Ratanheri village near Khanna had consumed insecticide on December 14 at the Shambhu border. He died on December 18.
Meanwhile, at Moga, SKM leaders announced that as part of their unity effort, a six-member Ekta Committee of the SKM would lead a 101-member jatha of farmers to the Khanauri and Shambhu borders on January 10 to meet the protesting farmers. This meeting includes an invitation to hold a joint meeting of all unions at Gurdwara Dukhniwaran Sahib in Patiala on January 15.
“The Ekta Committee’s mission aligns with the broader objective of rejecting the unfavourable draft national policy on agriculture marketing. By uniting diverse factions, the movement seeks to amplify its voice,” said Joginder Singh Ugrahan, president, BKU (Ekta Ugrahan).
The mahapanchayat was addressed by Balbir Singh Rajewal, Rakesh Tikait, Harinder Singh Lakhowal, Raminder Singh Patiala, Harmeet Singh Qadian, Darshanpal and other leaders.
A large number of farmers from across Punjab participated. The resolutions adopted included burning copies of the draft national agriculture marketing policy at the tehsil headquarters on January 13 and holding a tractor march on January 26.
They also demanded a legal guarantee for the MSP, debt relief for farmers and labourers. The mahapanchayat held the Centre responsible for the worsening condition of Dallewal, warning of a strong agitation in case of any untoward incident. Though the Punjab Government today rejected the draft agriculture policy, the mahapanchayat demanded that the state to convene a session of the Assembly and pass a resolution to reject it.
The Kisan Mazdoor Morcha and the SKM (Non-political) have welcomed the move. Pandher, who is the coordinator of the KMM and the SKM (Non-political), said, “Let them bring the eight-point agenda. We will read it, discuss it and share our views accordingly. If the three forums unite, it will be difficult for the government to ignore our demands,” he said.
