Centre dividing farm unions, says Ugrahan

Days after farm leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal urged all kisan unions to set aside their differences, Joginder Singh Ugrahan, chief of the Bharti Kisan Union (BKU-Ekta Ugrahan) today said the ruling dispensation always favoured division among farm unions.

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Facing criticism for not backing farm unions protesting at the Shambhu and Khanauri borders, Ugrahan said they had not received any reply from the SKM (Non-Political) and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM) pertaining to third round of talks to form ‘Ekta’.

“The government has only invited representatives of the SKM (Non-Political) and the KMM for talks on February 14. It indicates that they want to divide the unions. We will look forward to the outcome of the meeting. Ideally, if the government was looking forward for some resolution, then it should have invited the representatives of all forums for talks,” said Ugrahan.

Ugrahan, a key leader alongside Balbir Singh Rajewal and Rakesh Tikait of the SKM (All India), had held a year-long stir in 2021 against the three repealed farm laws.

Dallewal had also added that if ‘Ekta’ resolution during kisan mahapanchayat was passed and supported by the people on January 9, then what was the logic behind multiple rounds of meeting between the farm unions at Patran.

Another SKM (Non-Political) leader Sukhjit Singh Hardo Jhande even went on to say that ‘Ekta’ cannot happen by setting conditions.

Ugrahan added that the farm leaders should refrain from making such statements. He reiterated ‘Ekta’ can only be formed on a certain set of principles.

“By principles, I mean to say that the agitation should be secular in nature, away from any political interference. It should not be driven by a particular state, rather it should have equal involvement and representation of all farm unions from across the country.”

He added, “By ‘Ekta’, we mean that decisions of the SKM leaders will be binding on all farm unions. No one will be at liberty to take arbitrary decisions or carry out protest separately.”

Meanwhile, an ‘Akhand Path’ was held for the success of ‘Dilli Morcha’. Dallewal, whose indefinite fast reached 66th day, also attended the ‘Path’. A team of doctors said Dallewal had developed mild fever, but his condition was stable.

KMM chief Sarwan Singh Pandher condemned the Centre and CM Yogi-led Uttar Pradesh Government for death of pilgrims due to stampede in Prayagraj.