'Farmers' sacrifice not in vain'

Ruchika M Khanna

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, November 19

Sukhdeep Kaur, 17, and Harwinder Singh, 14, are celebrating the Centre’s move on farm laws. This is the first celebration in their small house at Chahlanwali village of Mansa in the past one year.

Finally, relieved

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The withdrawal of farm laws gives us closure. I am convinced that my husband’s sacrifice has not gone in vain. — Manjit Kaur, Mansa Resident

Their father Dhamma Singh, all of 45, died on November 27 last year, while he was on his way to Delhi with a group of farmers. “I am saddened that all those who sat on the dharna at Tikri or Singhu will return and my husband won’t. But the repealing of laws gives us closure. We are convinced that Dhamma’s sacrifice has not gone in vain,” says Manjit Kaur, the mother of the two teenagers. The siblings say their father fought for the economic rights of the farming community, which no longer face the threat.

As The Tribune got in touch with families of “shaheed farmers” (so termed by farmers’ unions), the exuberance was apparent. Gurwinder Singh of Ramnagar Bhattal village, who lost his father Dhaksa Singh in the struggle, says, “We will hold a special ardas and langar for my deceased father when the Centre will actually repeal the laws. His and other farmers’ sacrifice led us to victory.”

In Dhaner village of Barnala, Ravinder Kaur says she is cooking a special meal for her family. Her father-in-law, Kahan Singh Dhaner, was one of the first “martyrs” of the struggle. “We had a black Diwali. But today is the day to celebrate,” she said.