Khanauri: The demand for a guaranteed Minimum Support Price (MSP) resonated across Punjab and Haryana as thousands of farmers, in midst of harsh winter conditions, gathered at two simultaneous mahapanchayats in Khanauri, Punjab and Tohana in Haryana.
Despite the different venues located at a distance of 30 kms, the message for demand of a guaranteed MSP and other agriculture reforms was loud and clear as the farmer leaders made it clear that they will not back down until their voices were heard.
The Khanauri Kisan Mahapanchayat was jointly organized by Samyukta Kisan Morcha (non-political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM) Khanauri border point of Haryana and Punjab in support to the farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal, who is on hunger strike for the past 40 days.
In his address Dallewal declared that he would rather sacrifice his life fighting on the streets against the government’s wrong policies than bow down to them. He expressed his anguish over the plight of the seven lakh farmers- who committed suicide due to the government’s flawed policies.
“I can’t sleep at night thinking about the orphaned children of those farmers. If my sacrifice can prevent such suicides, I am ready to give it”, he added.
Farmers’ leaders criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi, pointing out that he claims to resolve even the gravest international issues through dialogue when visiting Russia or Ukraine, yet he refuses to engage in talks with the farmers of his own country.
The farmer leaders also recalled how, on May 20, 2014, the PM bowed at the steps of Parliament, pledging to respect their sentiments. But slammed the union government for disrespecting parliament by rejecting the unanimous recommendation of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Agriculture to enact an MSP Guarantee Law. The farmers’ leaders announced that effigies of the Modi government would be burned at the village level across the country on January 10 as a mark of protest.
In Tohana SKM leaders issued stern warning to Centre. Around 30 kilometers away from Khanuari border, the leader of SKM –which led 2020-21 farmers agitation- addressed a similar ‘kisan mahapachayat’ and warned the union government of serious consequences if it failed to withdraw the draft National Agricultural Marketing Framework.
Expressing concerns over the health of Dallewal the SKM leaders urged the government to initiate dialogue with farmer organizations.
Prominent farmer leader from Punjab Joginder Singh Ugrahan criticized the draft framework issued on November 25, stating it would hand over agricultural trade to corporate entities. He emphasised the need for unity to fight powerful forces like the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
Rakesh Tikait- farmer leader from Uttar Pradesh proposed a plan for the next protest to be organized around Madhya Pradesh and accused the Haryana government of misleading people regarding the MSP for 24 crops. He urged the central government to take immediate steps to save the life of Jagjit Singh Dallewal.
Tikait also highlighted efforts by the committee formed by SKM to strengthen unity among farmers. “We have to get united otherwise the government will take away our lands”, Tikait said, addressing the farmers.
Senior farmer leaders announced that a National General Body Meeting would be held in Delhi on January 24, where the next phase of the movement will be outlined.
The mahapanchayat unanimously passed a resolution rejecting the draft National Agricultural Marketing Framework, presented by Comrade Inderjit Singh. Farmers were urged to reject the proposal at the Gram Panchayat level and send their opposition to the central government by January 10.