Farmer Forums Unite for Protest Against AAP Government on March 28

In what is being seen as a first step toward reconciliation after their talks failed, three farmer forums have decided to join forces and hold a protest against the ruling AAP government on March 28.

The decision came after the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM) and the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) agreed to participate in the “Anti-Repression Day” demonstrations organized by the SKM (All-India) on March 28.

SKM leader Prem Singh Bhangu confirmed that the move followed a meeting led by Joginder Singh Ugrahan, Raminder Singh Patiala, Mukesh Chandra Sharma, and Jhanda Singh. Ugrahan and Patiala accused the AAP government of suppressing the farmers’ movement at the behest of the Centre. They pointed out that the SKM’s seven-day dharna in Chandigarh was broken up, and the ongoing protests at Shambhu and Khanauri were also repressed using bulldozers. Many farmers and leaders were arrested, and farm equipment, including tractor-trailers, were heavily damaged.

The leaders stated that given the current situation, it was necessary to put aside differences and unite in protest against government repression. They urged all farmer forums and other organizations to participate in the demonstrations on March 28.

The forums also condemned the alleged illegal detention of farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal and called for his immediate release. Additionally, they demanded that the state government compensate farmers for the losses they suffered during the crackdown at Shambhu and Khanauri. They also criticized the police for being lenient with individuals accused of stealing tractor-trailers.

Meanwhile, SKM (Non-Political) leader Gurdeep Singh claimed that Maan Singh Rajpura, BKU Sidhupur’s state finance secretary, and two other leaders, Gurdev Singh Jandoli and Ujagar Singh, were detained by the Patiala police outside the hospital where they had gone to meet Dallewal. The three leaders were reportedly taken to an undisclosed location.