Facing strong opposition to agricultural bills for protesting Punjab farmers ahead of civic elections in the state, the BJP now risks facing the wrath of food producers in neighboring Haryana in the lead up to to the panchayat elections, with the Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) Gurnam Singh Chaduni’s leader on Sunday urges the local farming community not to vote for those who are against his ongoing agitation.
Addressing a mass participation in a Kisan Mahapanchayat in the town of Indri in the Karnal district of Haryana on Sunday, Chaduni said: “We ask (the farmers) not to vote for those who do not support them in this dharmayudh (battle for existence) if they stand firm in any election, be it for a panchayat or Parliament. “
Although the farmers’ leader did not take any names, there was little doubt who he was targeting, as the ruling BJP-JJP coalition in the state has been facing protests over farm laws introduced by the Center. Amid loud cheers from the crowd, Chaduni said: “Make sure (BJP, JJP) don’t find any candidates for their tickets to contest the next election. They should not find anyone who is willing to fight the elections under their banners and on their tickets. “
Before more applause from the meeting, the peasant leader added: “We have to guarantee peace and not fight with the police. Those (the Center governed by the BJP) who have drawn up these laws are to whom our protest is directed. Whenever they come to hold rallies or panchayats to seek their votes, teach them a lesson as you had done to Khattar sahab (Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar) in Karnal. ”He was referring to how the protesting farmers had not allowed CM Khattar to be led a BJP ‘Kisan Mahapanchayat’ in Karnal district on 10 January, despite the deployment of 1,500 policemen, barricades and the use of tear gas and baton charges as protests.
Surveys of panchayats in the state should be carried out shortly, as the mandate of all rural administrative bodies will end in a matter of days. Top BJP leaders had to skip or cancel scheduled events ahead of civic elections in Punjab, and the party alleged that the congressionally ruled state denied it a safe place to campaign.
The farmers’ meeting in Indri town was the latest in a series of such meetings against the controversial agricultural laws in Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Punjab. Senior agricultural leaders, including Rakesh Tikait, Balbir Singh Rajewal, Dr. Darshan Pal and leaders Khap Sombir Sangwan (independent MLA) and Tek Ram Kandela, were among those attending the mahapanchayat on Sunday.
Stating that large corporations will take over farmers’ lands once these laws are implemented, Chaduni said: “We are fighting to save our livelihoods, we are not here for fun. We are not protesting to get rich. These laws are meant to deprive us of our bread. With its implementation, the agricultural sector will fall into the hands of companies. The jobs and livelihoods of 65% of our population, comprising farmers, laborers, arthiya (commissioned agents in mandis) and small traders, will be at the mercy of the companies. It is to save ourselves from ruin that we are on the streets today. Up to 250 of our protesting brothers have embraced martyrdom during the upheaval. “
“In Parliament, Pradhan Mantri ji recalled the broken (mobile) towers (during the commotion), but did not express any sorrow for the relatives of 250 farmers who died during the protest. The (state) agriculture minister yesterday mocked our martyrs, claiming that they could also have died in their homes. You probably don’t know that 10 to 12 of our martyrs committed suicide. You don’t even know how many died in accidents. We are biding our time before teaching those people a lesson, ”added Chaduni.
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She is a freelance blogger, writer, and speaker, and writes for various entertainment magazines.