Consensus again eludes farmers’ bodies during 5-hr meet on unity

The three forums of farm unions — Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM), Samyukt Kisan Morcha (Non-political) and Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) — have fallen short of announcing an absolute unity among themselves, saying that instead they were in the process of reaching an agreement on a common minimum programme.

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Representatives of the three forums, comprising 66 farm unions, met for almost five hours here today. It is learnt that SKM leaders had brought their “demand charter” for forging unity. However, there was a difference of opinion among leaders of the KMM and SKM (Non-political) on accepting it. Also, the old differences between the two sides, which had cropped up after the 2020-21 farmers’ protest, could not be resolved completely today.

Sources said the forums had decided to call the last and final meeting for forging unity soon. The forums will further deliberate on ending all differences before the next meeting. Till then, the SKM will go ahead alone with its protest on March 5, against the Draft National Policy Framework on Agricultural Marketing.

It is learnt that initially leaders of the three forums held a meeting for two hours, which was followed by a separate meeting of the SKM (Non-political) and KMM on one side and the SKM on the other. These two groups threshed out their issues for about 90 minutes, before they again met together for another hour and half, the sources said.

Joginder Singh Ugrahan, president, BKU (Ekta-Ugrahan), said in today’s meeting, discussions were held to understand the exact situation and stand of all forums on all important farmers’ issues. “The absolute unity of all forums may not be possible immediately, but we are looking at creating a common ground for raising issues which we all agree on. The differences between all forums were discussed and noted down. These will be further discussed in our internal meetings. The process will take some more time,” he said.

SKM leader Harinder Singh Lakhowal said during the next meeting, there were chances of finding a common ground for unity. “We will hold our protest at Chandigarh on March 5 against the draft policy, even though the Punjab Vidhan Sabha has already rejected it,” he said. Farmer leader Inderjit Singh Kotbudha said the resolution passed by Vidhan Sabha rejecting the draft policy, was victory of every farmer.

SKM (Non-political) leaders Kaka Singh Kotra and Abhimanyu Kohar expressed their concerns over the deteriorating health of Jagjit Singh Dallewal, whose indefinite fast has been going on for 93 days.