By Harsh Thakor
The peasantry of
CONTRIBUTION OF
BKU-EKTA(UGRAHAN)
The greatest
credit for galvanisng the combat forces and their crystallisation in such
magnitude goes to the Bharatiya Kisan Union(Ugarhan).It galvanised over one and
a half lakh people, including around 50,000 women alone. More than 50% of the
protestors were the youth which was a positive trend. It was a perfect illustration
of their surgical mass line practice. It confronted any type of legalism or
economism to the core, by sustaining the agitation when other organisations
decided to withdraw. Their storming into
It may take a
book to describe the most soul searching scenes at Tikri, Singhu, Jharoda,
Ghazipur and Chilla, areas at the border of
Significant
solidarity was initiated by the Punjab Students Union (Shaheed Randhawa), Nauawan
Bharat Sabha and Punjab Khet Mazdoor Union.It speaks volumes of the painstaking
class -mass work to sharpen essence of revolutionary democratic politics has
been undertaken at the very base. I would compare this effort of Ugrahan group
with the bests ever mass organised protests of the poor peasantry in world
history. I apologise if I am being partial but most intellectuals have failed
to portray the distinguishing features of the Ugrahan group in this
development.
Speeches were
continuously made highlighting how the agricultural bills were morally
neo-fascist and destroy to dust any democratic aspirations of the peasantry. In
depth they summarized how it gave Corporates a license to plunder the peasantry
by having a total monopoly in dictating prices or obtaining land. The speakers
elaborated how now the Corporates had a complete monopoly over the public
distribution system and thus morally were a far greater menace to the peasantry
than the traditional middlemen.
The speakers stated that the
dominance of corporate houses in agriculture sector meant the complete
tarnishing of public distribution system. The new system would l
ensure profit for the corporate houses and imperialist multinational
corporations by depriving people of essential commodities. The new system would
also increase black marketing and artificial glut and scarcity in the market.
The leaders stated that this agitation was an attempt to save a profession like
agriculture and to ensure food security of the masses. This is the reason that
the agitation is getting support from people across the country and different
walks of life.
The connivance of
opposition parties be it the Congress or Aam Admi party or Akali Dal was
exposed in no uncertain terms explaining that their economic policies were an
integral part of the semi-feudal, semi-colonial state and thus in essence not
different from the Bharatiya Janata Party. However still the main attack was on
the Narendra Modi led Bhartiya Janata party illustrating how it blessed
imperialism at crescendo never reached before or patronizing corporates more
than any ruling party ever did in
In recent days it
even highlighted how Industrial families were seizing Panchayat land
and violating the Punjab Village Common land rule of 1964.They
narrated how the
state has about one and a half
lakh acres of panchayat land and their contracts and make scores of income
with the government's eye now on these lands. The intention of looting the prices of
panchayat lands is a direct raid on the interests and rights of the poor
farmers. Whose interests are in farming on these lands
CONTRIBUTION OF
OTHER DEMOCRATIC FORCES
I also applaud
the heroic role of the Kirti Kisan Union and the Naujwan Bharat Sabha who most
qualitatively shimmered the spark of resistance and also mobilised a
significant dalit landless labour section. Around 20,000 participated from
Kirti Kisan Union who placed accent on the fascist rule unleashed by the centre
and how it was empowering itself to crush all federal status of Punjabi people.
In recent days some very notable work has been undertaken by the Punjab
Students Union in solidarity and consolidation .Many convoys of Punjab Students
Union are on their way to
The Bhartiya
Kisan Union(Dakaunda)) has too risen to the hour significantly.
Sadly some
important leaders of Kirti Kisan Union accused the Bharatiya Kisan
Union(Ugrahan) of sabotaging the movement projecting is as trying to promote
it's own image and violating the collective spirit. This was countered by many
intellectuals and refuted by Urgahan activists themselves who explained that
only by prolonging resistance can any revolutionary alternative path be paved.
Even an ex- cadre from their camp to the core was critical of the
comments of Comrades Sardara Singh Mahil and Rajinder .Publicly such leaders
expressed that the BKU(Ugrahan) hosting a langar at the initial stages near the
border was derogatory. However the Ugrahan group gave no counter statement in
light that it would cause friction amongst the participants.
Almost every day
interviews were carried out with Joginder Singh Ugrahan ,the president of the
BKU.
REPORTS OF
IMPORTANT PROTESTS IN
On 4th December
BKU (Ekta Ugrahan) continued its protest at Tikri border where protesters have
occupied kilometres of road and established five stages to address the
gatherings. Shingara Singh Mann, Jaswinder Singh Soma, Harinder Kaur Bindu,
Paramjit Kaur Pitho, Zora Singh Nasrali of Punjab Khet Mazdoor union, Amolak
Singh of PLS Manch, Amitoz Singh Maur of Punjab student union (Shaheed
Randhawa), Sushil Kumari, Rajesh Dhankar, Mukesh Khasa and Khushbir Kaur from
Haryana addressed the gathering. The speakers explained that Modi government Is
responsible for the discomfort of the local community is facing due to ongoing
agitation. It was reiterated that this is an agitation for the security of the
farmer as well as the food security of the country.(Sukhdev Khokri)
The speakers
stated that the dominance of corporate houses in agriculture sector mean end of
public distribution system. New system will ensure profit for the corporate
houses and imperialist multinational corporations by depriving people of
essential commodities. The new system will increase black marketing and
artificial glut and scarcity in the market. The leaders stated that this
agitation is an attempt to save a profession like agriculture and to ensure
food security of the masses. This is the reason that the agitation is getting
support from people across the country and different walks of life. The
speakers appealed to the residents of
On 4th December
BKU (Ekta-Ugrahan) has named five protest sites after the names of historical
personalities representing the legacy of struggles leading up to the ongoing
agitation against farm Bills passed by the Modi government.
The protest site
spread over kilometres have been divided into cities named after these
personalities – Baba Banda Singh Nagar, Chacha Ajit Singh Nagar, Bibi Gulab
Kaur Nagar, Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar and Shaheed Sadhu Singh Takhtupura
Nagar.
Shingara Singh
Mann e said that a press gallery has also been installed in the name of Shaheed
Ashfaq Ula Khan to provide information to the press in the ongoing front. He
said that Baba Banda Singh Bahadur is the hero of the great rebellion of the
farmer who has made the farmers own the lands with the strength of long and
slowing down. He said that uncle Ajit Singh is the leader of the Jatt movement
to take care of the Shanamati turban against the British government which is
still a light torch for the farmers fighting for their rights. He said that Gadri
Gulab Kaur is the heroine fighting against the colonial government who is
fighting for his rights and is a light for the women in the
He said that
Shaheed Bhagat Singh is the great martyrs of the National Liberation Movement
who first presented the program of the British government as well as the
elimination of the loot of indigenous robbers for the freedom of farmers,
labourers, youth and countrymen. । He
said that Shaheed Bhagat Singh is still a great hero who made the heartbeat of
farmers, laborers, women and youth who struggle to get rid of loot. He said
that Shaheed Sadhu Singh Takhtupura is the hero of the current Kisan Movement
who has been important in giving the form of a huge movement to our
organization and the farmer movement by drinking the jam of martyrdom against
the government-sponsored Bhau Mafia during the Akali BJP rule. Played the role.
Farmer leaders
said that the towns, named after these heroes of their great fighter heritage,
are the symbol of the narrow element of the Kisan Movement, whose roots are in
the great heritage of the country's secular and democratic traditions. । He said that the city is also a symbol of the strong
intentions of farmers, labourers, youth and women who stand against agriculture
laws that they will return home after returning the five laws..
The leaders
explained that the sites named after these legendary personalities manifest the
progressive and secular character of the ongoing agitation against farm laws.
The ongoing movement is in continuity with the glorious history created by
struggling masses and that history inspires farmers, workers, women and youth
to struggle against the injustice, they said. The duo remained confident that
the ongoing movement would carry the people’s history forward and emerge
victorious.(Tribune News )
On 5th December
BKU Ekta Ugrahan embarrassed the Modi Government at its boiling
point at six places and more than 500 districts in
Gathering
together Shingara Singh Mann, Harinder Kaur Bindu, Paramjit Kaur Pitho, Amarjit
Singh Saidoke, Jaswant Singh Tolewal, Puran Singh Doda, Manjit Singh Niyal,
Gurpreet Singh Noorpura, Jora Singh Nasrali, Amolak Singh, Rajasthan leader
Santvir Singh Mohanpura Haryana Teke Ram Narnol, Manjeet Julka, Om Prakash
Rathi, Joginder Kathota Sarv Employees Association Haryana, Munisa Student Ekta
Manch Haryana, Chandigarh, Young Student Amrit Kaur, Leader of Five Member
Kisan Sangharsh Committee Gurbaz Singh.
Shingara Singh
Mann said expressing solidarity on the invitation of all farmer organizations
in the country that the BKU unity will also take a strong participation.
Invitation to the different workers of the society to connect their leaders
with this solution. Addressing them especially to the Dalit community and farm
workers, they said that they should be a big part of the society in support of
the movement of the labor stage and give a strong reply to the politics of the
BJP which is distributing caste distribution. He said that shopkeepers and
small businessmen who are being oppressed by the FDI and GST should raise a
joint voice to dismiss these people's killing policies. In the same way, this
day should be made a joint voice of people of every stage including the
workers, employees, students.
SOLIDARITY
PROTESTS IN
In solidarity in Punjab to illuminate
spark of the agitation in over dozen places in
On Decmber 3rd on invitation
of the Kirti Kisan Union, the leader of the Rural Labor Union
Hariram Rasulpuri, Mata Gujri Women's Chetna Committee, was held in support of
the historic farmer's struggle in the country at village Mehmudpur (District
Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar). Addressed by Mehmudpur President Madam Kulwant
Kaur, Secretary Ranjit Kaur and Press Secretary of Democratic Rights Sabha
On December 5th effigies
of the Modi govt. were burnt in Rasulpura, Mehamudpur and Kahma.
At
On December 2nd in
Bathinda city, the Farmers Struggle Support Committee conducted a huge torch
march in the city in support of the farmers sitting in
Funds were also
given by the shopkeepers from the same market.
SUPPORT TO
FARMERS PROTEST AND MOST POSITIVE HAPPENINGS.
Arguably never in
Indian history has the base of Hindutva neo-fascism been given such
a striking blow by democratic forces illuminating spark of liberation. There
could hardly be a better illustration of the peasantry to establish its own
striking power or how in essence the so call neo-liberal economy is model or
manifestation of proto-fascism engripping the entire nation.
Major solidarity
has been undertaken in states like Andhra Pradesh, Telengana, West Bengal,
Very impactful
solidarity demonstrations were undertaken by workers in industrial
areas of
It is also a
significant development that many small traders, shopkeepers or businessman
have supported the struggle and even integrated with it.
The student and
youth community most sporadically came out in support of the peasantry which
must b welcomed.
One of the most
inspiring instances of this agitation was how BKU women leader Harinder Bindu
shimmered flame of resistance to mobilize over 10000 women. It paid a fitting a
tribute to the valiant effort of the organised movement to make women an
integral part of the movement. The morale support of singer Diljit Dosanjh also
was most inspirational in an era when most commercial singers turn their back
son people's movements and literally sell themselves like slaves of the culture
of imperialism or exploiter classes. I was also most impressed by a University
student Hindol Mazumdar from
A most welcome
developments has been the support of top sportsman and artists from
Gatherings were
also addressed by young film Saj Jatinder Mahar, renowned Rangkarmi Samuel
John, student Vijay Dhankhar teacher leader Haryana.
On this occasion,
plays were played by Manavata Kala Manch Nagar (plus stage) and revolutionary
songs were presented by Jagsir Jida, Ajmer Singh Aklian and Nargis.
The leaders of
this struggle are not willing to sit on the negotiation table after even the
fifth talk and have boldly declared a bandh on December 8th.They find the Govt.
solutions or amendments futile after 5 successive rounds of talks ending in a
stalemate.
A most welcome development
has been the support of top sportsman and artists from
On December 4th Hundreds of students,
Women’s Rights leaders, industrial workers and intellectuals of
All
over the nation organisations are boycotting toll plazas supporting the peasant
protest.
Above all
whatever differences the basic unity of the agitation against the bills has not
been broken which is most heartening.
WHAT STEPS SHOULD
BE TAKEN TO CONSOLIDATE AGITATION
What is binding
and will intensify this stir is the solidarity from force s outside
So far the
leaders have shown great political maturity when participating in talks with
the rulers .Another crucial aspect is that it should not just reduce the dalit
landless labour community into an appendage or cosmetic force but an integral
part of the agitation. The working class must also be mobilized in tandem with
the peasantry, highlighting its relationship with their day to day lives or
class struggles. I have never witnessed an agitation which has harnessed
support from such a wide range of sections.
It is important
that democratic forces all around the nation are galvanised in support to form
a broad spectrum and that every oppressed or democratic section must form
separate platforms in support be it students, teachers, govt. employees or
doctors. It should also be connected to the secular democratic revolutionary
resistance to Hindutva fascism as a whole with an acute connection made between
Hindutva ideolgy and patronage to classes of Corporates and big landlords.
A protracted
effort must be made to sharpen revolutionary class politics sand make peasantry
demarcate from the ruling class ideology which in essence only divides the rich
and mighty. It is also important that caste politics does not intervene to
divide the agitation and even Ambedkarites come out in full support. It is
important that Communist revolutionaries do not claw the agitators with their
political line and pursue a patient, painstaking approach to educate the
peasantry.
It can also
develop in a platform to demarcate from the revisionist or reformist policies
of the Communist Party of India and the Communist Party of India(Marxist) and
win over m any cares belonging to peasant unions of those parties.
In my view
however acute is the contradiction with feudalism such a development testifies
the role or impact of imperialism in determining feudalism and how in regions
like
It is also of
vital importance that polemical issues do not break the fundamental unity of
the organisations, which would splinter the movement. Sharp demarcation must be
made of electoral politics which in the past has often induced parliamentary
tailism by democratic peasant forces.
A most important
contribution will be a report on the agitation by Punjabi revolutionary journal
‘Surkh Leeh’. It should be propagated very widely in all circles
with it’s incisive revolutionary democratic analysis. In detail is publishing a
study on its political significance. For politically advanced leftists
sections the statement of the Communist Party Re-Organisation Centre
of India (Marxist-Leninist) when it is published which would be of great
relevance in connecting this agitation with the interest of the agrarian
revolutionary movement as a whole
I thank the
inputs or reports from BKU(Ugrahan) secretary Sukhdev Singh Khokri, Surkh Leeh
editor Pavel Kussa ,Rupinder Chaunda of Naujwan Bharat Sabha ,ShingarSingh Mann
of BKU (Ugrahan) as well as from Kisan Morcha and Delhi Kisan Morcha.
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