Farmers march towards Delhi to participate in SKM’s mahapanchayat

From Bathinda, a group of farmers along with BKU Ugrahan district committee member Jagseer Singh Jhumba took buses to travel to the national capital.

Jagseer said, “The Union government had agreed to many demands in writing when we ended our dharna at Delhi borders in December 2021. The demands included the formation of the MSP committee… but till date, nothing has been done in this direction. Fake FIRs filed against farmers during the farm agitation have not been withdrawn in many states…”

Dr Darshan Pal, coordination committee member of the SKM and president of Krantikari Kisan Union, said: “Over 700 farmers had died during the farm agitation at Delhi borders but not all families have been given compensation and a job as promised by respective state governments. The list of unfulfilled promises is long.”

Pal said over 30 farmer unions in Punjab have sent their members to participate in Monday’s mahapanchayat. Farmers from Haryana will also participate in the mahapanchayat in large numbers, he added.

The SKM leadership is demanding the dismissal of the Centre’s present MSP (minimum support price) committee and the formation of a new committee with farmer representatives, among others.

The SKM has also demanded the withdrawal of the Electricity Amendment Bill, 2022. The Centre had given a written assurance that the said bill will be introduced in Parliament after a discussion with the SKM but did not keep its word, said SKM leaders.

Pal said: “Union Minister of State for Home Ajay Mishra, the main conspirator in the Lakhimpur-Kheri incident, should be dismissed from the cabinet and arrested and sent to jail.”