Farmer factions divided over how to deal with Centre, credit claims

Mohit Khanna

Patiala, February 28

Mobilising support from farmers and bringing key farm unions of Punjab and Haryana together is the biggest hurdle for Samyukt Kisan Morcha (Non-political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha leaders, who are leading this protest and have failed to cross even the first line of barricades put up by the Haryana Police at Shambhu border.

At the core of the differences between the two farm factions — SKM and SKM (Non-political) — is the issue of whether to get into a direct confrontation with the Centre. While SKM leaders wished to build momentum before launching a larger stir, the SKM (Non-political) went ahead with the ‘Dilli Chalo’ protest, with both camps indirectly accusing each other of launching a stir with the motivation of taking credit.

Despite the death of a young protester, Shubhkaran Singh, and injuries to hundreds of farmers from Punjab, the only achievement of the 15-day agitation is that the Centre has agreed to procure five crops at the MSP for five years, if these crops were grown instead of paddy and wheat. Now all eyes are on the February 29 meetings of farmers.

SKM (Non- political) leaders Jagjit Singh Dallewal, Sarwan Singh Pandher, Surjeet Singh Phul, Manjeet Singh Rai, Amarjeet Singh Mohri and Guramneet Singh Mangat are of the view that the kisan leaders who had contested elections or have political inclinations should stay away from the protest.

SKM’s founding leaders Joginder Singh Ugrahan, Dr Darshanpal, Balbir Singh Rajewal, Harinder Singh Lakhowal are laying emphasis on a structured protest, with an emphasis on keeping anti-social elements at bay.

Some leaders blamed the SKM (Non-political) for initiating ‘Dilli Chalo’ protest to take credit and accused Pandher and others of breaking away to gain popularity.

BKU (Ugrahan) chief Joginder Singh Ugrahan even went on to claim that they were not consulted before the march was launched.

Mahesh Choudhary, spokesperson of SKM (Non-political), maintained, “We have taken a position that this protest is non-political and those who had decided to break away and participated in the electoral exercise should refrain from participating in the protest.”

Leaders blame each other

• SKM (Non-political) leaders Jagjit Singh Dallewal, Sarwan Singh Pandher and Surjeet Singh Phul are of the view that former kisan leaders, who had contested elections, should stay away from the farmers’ protest
• SKM leaders Joginder Singh Ugrahan, Dr Darshanpal and Balbir Singh Rajewal are laying emphasis on structured way of protest with an emphasis on keeping anti-social elements at bay