'Pind bachao, Punjab bachao' campaign begins in Malwa

Tribune News Service

Faridkot, November 29

To sensitise rural folk about the impending social crisis due to a huge migration of Punjabi youth to foreign countries, members of a mass contact campaign — ‘Pind bachao, Punjab bachao’ — reached here on Sunday.

Holding meetings with youth and elders in villages, the members of the campaign, led by Giani Kewal Singh, former Jathedar of Takht Sri Damdama Sahib, explained details of many new laws, like Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, labour and farm laws, CAA and Electricity (Amendment) Bill. They told people how the new laws were aimed at “harassing and plundering the people.”

The desperate youth of the state are leaving for greener pastures as there was no social and financial security in Punjab, they said. Once known for its natural resources, the state was now in deep economic crisis, the members claimed.

Discussing the federal structure of governance, the campaign members alleged that the Central Government had encroached upon the powers of the state.

It is the second phase of this campaign which had begun in the Majha region on November 1.

The activists are staying for four days in each district and will hold at least three conferences daily.

In the second phase, the march is covering four districts of Malwa.

“It is sheer frustration and insecurity that youth in the state are going overseas after taking huge loans for their education in foreign countries,” said Hamir Singh, a member of the campaign.