Punjab-Haryana Border: As tensions escalate along the Punjab-Haryana border in the aftermath of the farmer unions’ rejection of the government’s proposal, the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM and SKM-All India), a collective body of diverse farm unions, has clarified that its affiliated unions will not partake in the ‘Dilli Chalo’ protest starting from the Shambhu border on February 21.
Prem Singh Bhangu, president of the All-India Kisan Federation (AIKF) and spokesperson for SKM, reiterated the decision of SKM not to participate in the ‘Dilli Chalo’ protest. Instead, he outlined alternative activities planned by the unions, including toll plaza exemptions across the state from February 20 to 22, continuous demonstrations outside the residences of BJP MPs, MLAs, and district unit presidents for three days, and the scheduling of an all-India meeting of SKM on February 22 to strategize future actions.
Meanwhile, the Bharti Kisan Union (Ekta-Ugrahan), a key member of the national coordination of SKM-All India, declared its support for protesters at Shambhu and Khanauri barriers on the Punjab-Haryana border. Led by Joginder Singh Ugrahan, this substantial farm union in the state, particularly influential in Malwa, especially Sangrur, announced its backing for ongoing protests. Sukhdev Singh Kokri Kalan, general secretary of BKU (Ekta-Ugrahan), highlighted their union’s engagement in pre-scheduled protests, which include sit-ins outside the residences of state BJP chief Sunil Jakhar, former Chief Minister and BJP leader Capt Amarinder Singh, former MLA Kewal Singh Dhillon, and other BJP leaders, as well as demonstrations outside toll plazas.
“We have similar demands, but the method of protest is different,” said Kokri Kalan.
Apart from the demand for a legal guarantee for Minimum Support Price (MSP), farmers are pushing for the implementation of the Swaminathan Commission’s recommendations, particularly the “C2 plus 50 percent” formula on all agricultural products, coupled with assured markets, among various other demands. The evolving situation underscores the diverse strategies employed by farmer unions as they continue their fight for their rights and demands.