The Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) has received a letter from Punjab farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher on Sunday inviting them to support the farmers demonstrating at the Punjab-Haryana border crossings over their demands, which include a legal guarantee on the MSP for crops. His remarks followed SKM leader Rakesh Tikait’s appeal for farmers to band together in a “joint fight” to pressure the Centre to accede to their requests.
The ‘Delhi Chalo march’ is being led by farmers who are camped at the Shambhu and Khanauri border posts between Punjab and Haryana since February 13 after security forces blocked their march to Delhi. They are affiliated with Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha.
On December 6 and 8, a “jatha” (group) of 101 farmers attempted to walk into Delhi. In Haryana, security guards prevented them from moving forward. But the ‘Delhi Chalo’ march summons did not include the SKM, which had led the 2020 farmers’ protest against the now-repealed farm rules.
Addressing the media at the Shambhu border, Pandher said, “We have extended our hands to those brothers who could not participate in the Delhi andolan-2 (Delhi Chalo march). We asked them to forget whatever differences (the unions have) in the interests of farmers and labourers.”
“We have written a letter to our brothers. We expect a positive message from them (SKM),” he said.
Pandher claimed in the letter that they had tried to unite prior to the onset of the current unrest, but for a variety of reasons, the attempts were unsuccessful.
The health of Jagjit Singh Dallewal (70), who has been fasting to death at the Khanauri border point since November 26, was questioned by leaders, including Haryana Congress MLA Vinesh Phogat, Punjab Congress MLA Partap Singh Bajwa, Haryana Congress MP Dharamvira Gandhi, Akali leader Surjit Singh Rakhra, and Haryana farmer leader Gurnam Singh Chaduni.
In order to pressure the Centre to grant the agitated farmers’ requests, which include a legal guarantee of MSP on crops, Dallewal, a cancer patient, has been participating in a hunger strike.
In a post on X, Bajwa said, “Visited Jagjit Singh Dallewal Ji to inquire about his health and was deeply inspired by his unwavering selflessness and determination for the betterment of our farmers. His resolve symbolises the strength of our farming community and their rightful fight for justice.” “I assured him that the Congress stands firmly with our farmers and will extend every possible support to their struggle. I also urge all Punjab Congress workers to stand in solidarity with the farmers and contribute to the ongoing agitation in every possible capacity. Together, we will ensure their voices are heard and their rights are protected,” he said.
Joginder Singh Ugrahan, the president of the Bharti Kisan Union (Ekta Ugrahan), announced that on December 23, they will stage a dharna outside the district headquarters to express their disapproval of the deployment of water cannons and tear gas against farmers who were demonstrating at the Shambhu border.
