The decision of the Haryana government to conduct a judicial inquiry against Ayush Sinha is the righting of a wrong rather than a win, Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) leader Rakesh Bains told SabrangIndia on September 11, 2021.
“Today’s decision by the government is the result of farmers’ efforts to condemn the ‘hitlershahi’ of the regime. Farmers have used their strength to protect democracy and ensure justice for the farmers who died during the struggle,” said Bains.
Along with an investigation the administration has sent Sinha on leave and promised jobs to two family members of farmer martyr Sushil Kajal. The 55-year-old died after the lathi-charge ordered by Sinha on August 28. Farmers alleged police also kept Kajal from entering the hospital which worsened his condition further. According to Bains, the family were duly informed about the talks between farmers and state officials.
Farmers’ Leaders & Haryana Govt hv reached to an agreement.
1. Haryana Govt has agreed to give job to 2 kins of shaheed Sushil Kajal within one week at DC rate
2. Ayush Sinha to be sent on leave & a retired HC judge will investigate matter in 1 month #FarmersProtest— Farmer – Adv Vasu Kukreja (@AdvVasukukreja) September 11, 2021
However, he said that this is not a victory until the three contentious farm laws – the Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, the Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Act and the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act – are withdrawn by the central government.
“After this, the struggle will continue and farmers will head towards Delhi borders to continue participation in the national movement,” said Bains.
Meanwhile, other farmer organisations have expressed dissatisfaction with Saturday’s proceedings. Speaking to SabrangIndia, a source said that farmers had demanded suspension and filing of murder charges against Sinha for instructing security force to “break the heads” of protesting farmers. However, the administration has only agreed to an investigation by a retired judge.
Further, they pointed out that the jobs promised to two family members of Kajal, are temporary jobs that will be given at the DC rate of little more than Rs. 15,000. The lack of permanency means that the family may lose their livelihood at any point.
Regarding other farmers, the government said each person will be questioned and compensated as per their injuries during the lathi-charge. However, the government has not clarified which funds will provide the monetary relief for the same or elaborated the details of the process.
The Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) stated that farmers had submitted a letter to the district authorities before they assembled near Karnal to demonstrate outside Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar’s event. Yet, around eight DSPs and four SSPs were deployed in the area.
Condemning this state repression, farmers asserted that they will gear up to participate in the September 27 Bharat Bandh called by the SKM to condemn the “anti-farmer” laws of the Centre.
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