The 3 day protest of Samyukta Kisan morcha at Lakhimpur Kheri concluded at 3.pm on 20th August.. By the 3rd day around 450000 farmers congregated the venue. Sadly the administration prohibited the march at Rajapur Mandi from being held .This illustrated how much the protest had embarrassed the authorities in their very backyard and their authoritarian nature. It violated civil liberties.[Read More...]
The following is an unpublished transcript of an interview the author did for a UK-based TV channel that covers issues of interest to the worldwide Sikh diaspora. It concerns three pieces of farm legislation in India that were repealed in late 2021 after a prolonged protest by India’s farmers that gained global support and recognition. Although the interview took[Read More...]
I have written five-six articles on the unprecedented farmers movement organised under the aegis of the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) against the three agricultural laws. Therefore, to avoid repetition, this short comment. The peasant movement was kept apolitical in the sense that the leaders of any political party were not allowed to use the platform of the movement. However, the[Read More...]
On 15 January, the Sanyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) met at Delhi’s Singhu border, to review the progress made by the government on its promises made at the time of the repealing of the three agri laws. Following Parliamentary and written assurances, the farmers had suspended their movement and lifted their occupation of the Delhi borders. At the review meeting, it[Read More...]
Barely a few days are left to go now and all eyes, certainly of the farmers and their supporters, are on 15 January – the day Sunyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) is to reassemble in Delhi. There, SKM will seek to evaluate the progress made on the promises made by the government following the repeal of the three agri-laws in November[Read More...]
With all the constraints of time, I do wish to share my views with a large number of friends and likeminded people on an issue, which is very crucial in the coming days and times. This issue concerns farmers participation in coming Punjab Assembly elections, may be in other states -UP and Uttarakhand too, but primarily in the context of[Read More...]
The farmers spirit elevated and reverberated at a boiling point in Ferozepur like a spark turning into a prairie fire, in protest staged a few days ago by the farmers groups of Punjab .It was one of the most comprehensive acts of rebellion and striking blows to neo-fascism. Prime Minister Narinder Modi was virtually compelled to retreat towards Delhi due[Read More...]
A qualitative protest of around 500 workers was staged at Rampura Phul today in front of the office of the State district magistrate. The agricultural workers vociferously raised slogan condemning the government betraying their promises. In the last few months through united activity they have waged a sustained struggle for their demands. The farm labourers left their work to[Read More...]
The recent repeal of the farm laws by the central government sets an example which re-assures the power in people’s voices entrusted in democratic values, processes and practices. It is a win to celebrate and remember that such authoritarian governance and policies can be overthrown with people’s solidarity, vision, perseverance, and resilience. In India, the farmers and their families protested[Read More...]
History of all sorts was created in Punjab on December 12th when the dalit agricultural labourer’s organisations for the first time conducted a rail blockade independently, without support of organisations of the landed peasantry. In total around 20000 labourers participated in 12 districts. Without doubt an event that embarrassed the ruling parties in their very belly. . Displaying death defying[Read More...]
