Farmers in Panipat, Haryana, have suspended the president of Kisan Bhawan, Dilbag Binjhol, amid allegations that he secretly registered a trust to bring the iconic farmers' centre under private control. The decision was taken during an emergency mahapanchayat held on Sunday at Kisan Bhawan, where members of various farmers' associations unanimously voted to suspend Binjhol until July 14.
Emergency Mahapanchayat Decides Suspension
The mahapanchayat was presided over by senior farmer Ujala Singh Beniwal of Kavi village. Farmers expressed anger over the alleged secret registration of a trust, which they said was done without the written approval of the general body or consultation with the farming community. They termed the move a betrayal of the district's farmers.
The gathering unanimously decided to suspend Dilbag Binjhol with immediate effect. A seven-member disciplinary committee was also constituted to conduct a thorough investigation into the matter. The committee includes Ujala Singh Beniwal, former presidents Suresh Dahiya, Chuhar Singh Rawal, Soorajbhan Rawal, Devi Singh Mahawati, Rajbeer Malik Seenk, and Azaad Bairagi.
Allegations of Conspiracy
Farmers alleged that Binjhol and some other Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) leaders in the district were involved in a conspiracy to take control of Kisan Bhawan. They claimed that the building, built through years of collective effort and regarded by the farming community as a centre of heritage and faith, was being targeted for privatisation.
According to the farmers, Kisan Bhawan was re-registered secretly without the required approvals. They added that Binjhol and others were invited to the mahapanchayat to present their side but did not appear.
Ultimatum and Warning
The farmers passed a resolution giving Binjhol a deadline of July 14 to prove his innocence or present his defence. All concerned parties, including Binjhol, have been asked to appear before the disciplinary committee and present their case.
Farmers also warned that if Binjhol and his associates failed to provide a satisfactory reply by July 14, a larger mahapanchayat would be called on July 15 at Kisan Bhawan, where strict decisions would be taken. They emphasised that Kisan Bhawan is not the private property of any individual, political party, or organisation, but belongs to the entire farming community of the district.
Binjhol Refutes Allegations
On the other hand, Dilbag Binjhol refuted all allegations, calling them a conspiracy against him. He claimed that only 42 people were present at the mahapanchayat and that they had no authority to suspend an elected president.
“I have no invitation or information regarding the meeting at Kisan Bhawan on Sunday,” he said. “It is only a conspiracy against me in which some former presidents along with some 2-3 people are involved,” he alleged.
Binjhol stated that the trust was not a personal trust but a public trust named 'BKU Kisan Trust', with all terms and conditions in place and elections held every two years. He added that after registration, an audit is mandatory and would be conducted annually, which would prevent misuse of funds. He said he would soon call a meeting of farmers in the district and present all details before them.
