The Crossbill News Desk
The Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) has declared a gherao of the Punjab Assembly on March 26, the day the state government is set to present its budget, to press for its demands.
The decision was taken unanimously at a meeting held at Punjab Kisan Bhawan in Chandigarh on Sunday (March 16).
In a symbolic move, three empty chairs were placed at the meeting venue for Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and his Cabinet ministers, underscoring SKM’s challenge to the government for an open debate on farmers' issues.
However, as the ministers failed to attend, SKM leaders accused the CM of misleading the people.
SKM also announced large-scale Kisan Maha Panchayats in Barnala, Jalandhar, and Amritsar in May.
Additionally, March 23—the martyrdom day of Shaheed Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, and Sukhdev—will be observed as Anti-Imperialism Day to highlight the ongoing struggle against corporate dominance in agriculture.
As part of its broader mobilization, SKM plans to hold a seminar on May 4 at Desh Bhagat Yadgar Hall in Jalandhar to foster solidarity with workers, employees, traders, and transport operators, countering government efforts to portray the farmers' struggle as divisive. A mass awareness campaign will also be launched to expose corporate policies affecting Punjab’s agrarian economy.
The SKM condemned the Punjab government’s alleged forceful land acquisitions, citing the construction of a gas pipeline in Lelewala and the Bharat Mala highway project in Gurdaspur, where farmers are reportedly being displaced without fair compensation.
Further, the farmers’ body criticized international pressures influencing Indian agricultural policies.
"Taking note of the Trump government’s arm-twisting the Indian government to open the agriculture sector to corporate houses, it is made clear that no agreement against the country and farmers will be accepted," SKM stated, vowing to resist Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) that could threaten local farmers' livelihoods.
With its intensified protests and outreach programs, the SKM aims to build a broader alliance against corporate-led agrarian policies and demand accountability from both the central and Punjab governments.
The decision was taken unanimously at a meeting held at Punjab Kisan Bhawan in Chandigarh on Sunday (March 16).
In a symbolic move, three empty chairs were placed at the meeting venue for Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and his Cabinet ministers, underscoring SKM’s challenge to the government for an open debate on farmers' issues.
However, as the ministers failed to attend, SKM leaders accused the CM of misleading the people.
SKM also announced large-scale Kisan Maha Panchayats in Barnala, Jalandhar, and Amritsar in May.
Additionally, March 23—the martyrdom day of Shaheed Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, and Sukhdev—will be observed as Anti-Imperialism Day to highlight the ongoing struggle against corporate dominance in agriculture.
As part of its broader mobilization, SKM plans to hold a seminar on May 4 at Desh Bhagat Yadgar Hall in Jalandhar to foster solidarity with workers, employees, traders, and transport operators, countering government efforts to portray the farmers' struggle as divisive. A mass awareness campaign will also be launched to expose corporate policies affecting Punjab’s agrarian economy.
The SKM condemned the Punjab government’s alleged forceful land acquisitions, citing the construction of a gas pipeline in Lelewala and the Bharat Mala highway project in Gurdaspur, where farmers are reportedly being displaced without fair compensation.
Further, the farmers’ body criticized international pressures influencing Indian agricultural policies.
"Taking note of the Trump government’s arm-twisting the Indian government to open the agriculture sector to corporate houses, it is made clear that no agreement against the country and farmers will be accepted," SKM stated, vowing to resist Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) that could threaten local farmers' livelihoods.
With its intensified protests and outreach programs, the SKM aims to build a broader alliance against corporate-led agrarian policies and demand accountability from both the central and Punjab governments.
Comments (0)
Leave a Comment