The agrarian movement, which lashed back at the central government over three controversial agri-marketing laws after a year-long protest at Delhi’s borders, is headed for disintegration if its leaders do not compromise soon.
Two prominent faces of agricultural struggle – BKU (Rajewal) chief Balbir Singh Rajewali and BKU (Charuni) chief Gurnam Singh Charuni – Has dropped out along with other leaders of the United Kisan Morcha (SKM), who led the protest in 2020-2021. In such a situation, SKM is yet to plan how to increase pressure on the Center for its other pending demands – Minimum Support Price (MSP) on all agricultural commodities, fixing of MSP as per Swaminathan Commission recommendations, farm loan waiver and others.
The SKM, a conglomerate of over 400 agricultural organizations from across the country, was seen as one such group that was mounting further pressure on the Center for other demands. One of the major reasons behind the split is the decision of Rajewal and Charuni to contest elections. Punjab in February. Whereas a group of agricultural organizations from Punjab formed a political front called United Samaj Morcha (SSM) before Punjab elections and made Rajewal his CM face,
Charuni formed a political front called the Samyukta Sangharsh Party.SSP) for the same election and entered into alliance with SSM.
Differences came to the fore when several other large agricultural groups in Punjab decided to stay away from SSM and SSP.
These groups accused agricultural leaders, including Rajewal, of developing a lust for power. A humiliating defeat in the elections for the SSM and SSP, all of which lost their candidates, worsened the situation as the SSM and SSP leaders clashed with others. Just four days after the election results, the SKM had called a meeting of its constituents on 14 March at the Gandhi Peace Foundation, Delhi. However, when Rajewal, Charuni and BKU (Ekta Dakonda) leaders reached there, the SKM leaders walked out. During this, slogans were also raised at the venue.
The academicians, intellectuals and litterateurs who were ardent supporters and sympathizers of the agrarian struggle and worked behind the scenes for its success, feel sad and disappointed by the present situation of SKM. Many NRIs sending financial aid have also been disillusioned. An educationist said on the condition of anonymity that when some unwanted things were happening behind the scenes, like letters being written to Union Home Minister Amit Shah and meetings with officials of some agencies, the struggle won. achieved, when the whole country rejoiced. For quick resolution of deadlock. “But what happened after that is painful,” said the academic.
Another intellectual said that leaders of agricultural groups can fight among themselves as much as they want, but not at the cost of risking further conflicts. He said that a big fight is still pending for MSP as a legal authority. “Given the developments, the central government may further delay the formation of a joint committee to debate the MSP,” said the intellectual.
Intellectuals said that if the situation was allowed to worsen, no one but the farmer leaders would be held responsible for it. “It is time for agricultural groups to be integrated or society will lose faith in them,” said the intellectuals.
When contacted, Punjab’s largest agriculture union, BKU (Ekta Ugrahan) President Joginder Singh Ugrahan said that his union gives priority to continuous struggle without indulging in politics. Before the Punjab elections, the BKU (Ekta Ugrahan) had opposed the SSM and the SSP. “The struggle will not stop; These would continue for future purposes and the remaining demands of the agrarian struggle. SKM is planning how it can be taken forward in the present circumstances,” Ugrahan said.
Prem Singh Bhangu, a member of the legal cell of the SKM Rajewal faction, said they also want the farmers’ unit Y to remain intact. “Farmer leaders should not become the tools of the government, thereby jeopardizing the agricultural unity that the government wants. Let’s set aside personal issues for bigger goals,” said Bhangu.
Two prominent faces of agricultural struggle – BKU (Rajewal) chief Balbir Singh Rajewali and BKU (Charuni) chief Gurnam Singh Charuni – Has dropped out along with other leaders of the United Kisan Morcha (SKM), who led the protest in 2020-2021. In such a situation, SKM is yet to plan how to increase pressure on the Center for its other pending demands – Minimum Support Price (MSP) on all agricultural commodities, fixing of MSP as per Swaminathan Commission recommendations, farm loan waiver and others.
The SKM, a conglomerate of over 400 agricultural organizations from across the country, was seen as one such group that was mounting further pressure on the Center for other demands. One of the major reasons behind the split is the decision of Rajewal and Charuni to contest elections. Punjab in February. Whereas a group of agricultural organizations from Punjab formed a political front called United Samaj Morcha (SSM) before Punjab elections and made Rajewal his CM face,
Charuni formed a political front called the Samyukta Sangharsh Party.SSP) for the same election and entered into alliance with SSM.
Differences came to the fore when several other large agricultural groups in Punjab decided to stay away from SSM and SSP.
These groups accused agricultural leaders, including Rajewal, of developing a lust for power. A humiliating defeat in the elections for the SSM and SSP, all of which lost their candidates, worsened the situation as the SSM and SSP leaders clashed with others. Just four days after the election results, the SKM had called a meeting of its constituents on 14 March at the Gandhi Peace Foundation, Delhi. However, when Rajewal, Charuni and BKU (Ekta Dakonda) leaders reached there, the SKM leaders walked out. During this, slogans were also raised at the venue.
The academicians, intellectuals and litterateurs who were ardent supporters and sympathizers of the agrarian struggle and worked behind the scenes for its success, feel sad and disappointed by the present situation of SKM. Many NRIs sending financial aid have also been disillusioned. An educationist said on the condition of anonymity that when some unwanted things were happening behind the scenes, like letters being written to Union Home Minister Amit Shah and meetings with officials of some agencies, the struggle won. achieved, when the whole country rejoiced. For quick resolution of deadlock. “But what happened after that is painful,” said the academic.
Another intellectual said that leaders of agricultural groups can fight among themselves as much as they want, but not at the cost of risking further conflicts. He said that a big fight is still pending for MSP as a legal authority. “Given the developments, the central government may further delay the formation of a joint committee to debate the MSP,” said the intellectual.
Intellectuals said that if the situation was allowed to worsen, no one but the farmer leaders would be held responsible for it. “It is time for agricultural groups to be integrated or society will lose faith in them,” said the intellectuals.
When contacted, Punjab’s largest agriculture union, BKU (Ekta Ugrahan) President Joginder Singh Ugrahan said that his union gives priority to continuous struggle without indulging in politics. Before the Punjab elections, the BKU (Ekta Ugrahan) had opposed the SSM and the SSP. “The struggle will not stop; These would continue for future purposes and the remaining demands of the agrarian struggle. SKM is planning how it can be taken forward in the present circumstances,” Ugrahan said.
Prem Singh Bhangu, a member of the legal cell of the SKM Rajewal faction, said they also want the farmers’ unit Y to remain intact. “Farmer leaders should not become the tools of the government, thereby jeopardizing the agricultural unity that the government wants. Let’s set aside personal issues for bigger goals,” said Bhangu.