Charuni extends support to Dallewal, emphasises on united farmer front

The Bhartiya Kisan Union (Charuni) has extended its support to the farmers protesting at the Shambhu and Khanauri borders. The union, led by Gurnam Singh Charuni, has decided to mediate between the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) and agitating unions, including SKM (Non-Political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM), to bring them together on a common platform.

Collective effort must

In February, we had extended our support to the agitating farmers as they are fighting for genuine farmer rights. A collective effort is necessary to elevate this to a national-level agitation. — Gurnam Singh Charuni, bku (charuni)

Charuni, along with senior union leaders Rakesh Bains, Rajiv Sharma and Malkeet Singh, visited the Khanauri border today to meet SKM (Non-Political) leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal, who is on a fast-unto-death.

“The primary purpose of meeting Dallewal was to inquire about his health and express solidarity. Respecting public sentiment that all unions should unite, we decided to play the role of a mediator,” a BKU (Charuni) leader said.

Speaking to the media after the meeting, Charuni said, “In February, we had extended our support to the agitating farmers as they are fighting for genuine farmer rights. Though there was no message from the agitating unions, we felt it was our duty to meet Dallewal and support him. A collective effort is necessary to elevate this to a national-level agitation. We will discuss our future course of action with our members and then with SKM leaders. We appeal to the government to accept the farmers’ demands.”

Charuni, who rejoined the SKM in March this year, has previously called for unity among farmer unions. However, his February attempt to mediate between the unions exposed differences, particularly with Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM) leader Sarwan Singh Pandher.

Bhartiya Kisan Mazdoor Union president Suresh Koth said, “A six-member SKM committee has been working on uniting the unions since February, but there was no response from Dallewal then. A united front is essential for a stronger agitation and we will follow the SKM’s directions.”

Meanwhile, the Bhartiya Kisan Union (Shaheed Bhagat Singh) has announced a tractor march in Ambala City on Monday. District chief Gurmeet Singh said, “To boost the agitation, farmers of Ambala will assemble at the Ambala City grain market on December 16 and hold a tractor march as per the call given by the agitating unions.”