Leaders of the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) on Monday held a meeting with two major farmer organizations protesting at the borders of Punjab and Haryana. Its objective was to put pressure on the central government regarding legal guarantee of MSP and other demands and to prepare a strategy for a united movement. Farmer leaders said that unity and public support are very important for their success. The next meeting is proposed on January 18, in which the further plans of the movement will be decided.
Attention to Dallewal’s deteriorating health
In view of the deteriorating health of farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal, who was on hunger strike for more than one and a half months, the date of the meeting was changed from January 15 to January 13. Dallewal is on an indefinite hunger strike at Khanauri border in Punjab since 26 November.
Representation of all organizations in the meeting
Prominent leaders of SKM like Joginder Singh Ugrahan, Balbir Singh Rajewal, Darshan Pal, Raminder Patiala, and Yudhveer Singh attended this meeting held at Pataran in Patiala. Besides, leaders of SKM (non-political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM) also participated.
emphasis on unity
While talking to journalists after the meeting, farmer leaders made it clear that the main objective of their fight is to raise their voice unitedly against the policies of the Centre. He said that the enemies and issues of the farmers are the same, hence all the organizations should forget their mutual differences and fight together.
Initiative to move towards joint strategy
Protesting against the agriculture marketing policy of the central government, farmers burnt copies of the draft policy. Along with this, SKM has attempted to increase unity with SKM (non-political) and KMM to strengthen the movement.
Preparing for the next meeting
In the next meeting proposed on January 18, the detailed plan of the movement and ways to put pressure on the Center regarding the demands of the farmers will be discussed.
This initiative of farmer organizations is being considered an important step towards raising their demands strongly at the national level and making the struggle effective.
