Farmers' Leader Accuses Punjab Unions of Sabotaging Movement Unity
Jagjit Singh Dallewal, President of the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (Non-Political), has strongly criticized certain leaders of Punjab's farmer unions for preventing unity within the farmers' movement. Speaking at a panchayat during the Kisan Jagriti Yatra at Jat Dharamshala in Jind, Haryana, Dallewal asserted that the people of Punjab and Haryana have always vocally opposed injustice and refused to accept oppression. He emphasized that Haryana's soil nurtures individuals who stand firmly against unfair practices.
Non-Negotiable Demand for MSP Guarantee Law
Dallewal highlighted a critical incident during his hunger strike, where he appealed to visiting farmer leaders to take charge of the movement as farmers nationwide were awakening to fight for a legal guarantee of Minimum Support Price (MSP). However, on February 27, these leaders imposed a condition that the demand for the MSP guarantee law must be withdrawn before any discussion on unity could proceed. Dallewal firmly declared that the demand for an MSP guarantee law is paramount and absolutely non-negotiable for genuine farmer welfare.
India-US Free Trade Agreement: A Major Injustice
Turning to the proposed India–US free trade agreement, Dallewal condemned it as a significant injustice against Indian farmers. He urged farmers across the country to unite and launch a robust movement to oppose this agreement. Dallewal expressed his readiness to bow down in complete humility for the sake of unity with organizations genuinely fighting for key issues such as:
- A legal guarantee of MSP
- Farmers' debt waiver
- Implementation of the Swaminathan Commission report
He warned that if American agricultural products enter the Indian market, it could adversely affect future generations by potentially introducing harmful elements leading to serious health issues in children. Dallewal further alleged that the United States aims to capture India's agricultural land and is pressuring the government through various tactics.
Khap Panchayats' Role and Call for Support
Discussing Haryana's khaps, Dallewal noted that they advised all farmer organizations to unite on a single platform before extending their support. Despite this appeal, other farmer groups did not join the protest at the Khanauri border. In such circumstances, Dallewal urged the khap panchayats not to step back and to continue supporting the farmers' cause steadfastly.
Kisan Jagriti Yatra Progress and Future Plans
The Kisan Jagriti Yatra, which started from Kharkhoda, reached Jind on its 25th day, receiving warm welcomes at multiple locations including Kharkhauda Grain Market, Sisana, Gorad, Bhainswal Chowk, Gohana Vegetable Market, Nooran Kheda, and Lalit Kheda. After the farmers' panchayat in Jind, the yatra was enthusiastically welcomed at Narnaund, Majra Pyau, Mayyar Toll, Kharar, Mirzapur, and Kajla.
Prominent attendees at the event included Suresh Patil from Karnataka, Satnam Singh Behru from Punjab, Arun Patel from Madhya Pradesh, Inderjit Panniwala from Rajasthan, and local leaders such as Hoshiar Singh Gill, Virender Pehal, Harshdeep Singh, Balwan Lohan, Dashrath Malik, Shamsher Poonia, Manoj Jaglan, Chajju Ram Kandela, and Rameshwar Azad.
Call to Action for Farmers
Abhimanyu Kohar appealed to farmers across Haryana to gather in large numbers at Ramlila Ground in New Delhi on March 19. The goal is to compel the Indian government to exclude the agriculture, dairy, and poultry sectors from the free trade agreement with the United States, protecting domestic interests and ensuring farmer livelihoods.
