Farmers body Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) on July 14, 2021 issued a ‘people’s whip’ on all MPs to demand repeal of the contentious farm laws and a legal guarantee to Minimum Support Price (MSP) during the Parliament’s Monsoon Session. The SKM told MPs of both houses that the whip is in accordance with the constitutional right to bring any matter of public interest relating to Union government proceedings before the Parliament.
“MPs are directed to heed [the whip] as a direct instruction of constituents, who have elected them and to whom they are constitutionally accountable… The MPs are also directed not to walk out of the Houses which enables the ruling party to do their business unhindered and even if MPs are suspended by the Speaker/ Chairman, they should again go to the Houses to oppose the Union Government,” said the SKM in a press release.
The people’s whip disallows either Houses from doing any business until the central Government agrees to farmers’ demands. Farmer leaders also warned agitations on every stage if MPs failed to accede to the whip.
Parliament Protest March
Along with the whip, the SKM also announced a Parliament Protest March from July 22 onwards. From Thursday, as many as 200 farmers will march towards the Parliament every day of meeting. The groups will include farmer leaders and volunteers from various organisations across the protest camps at Delhi borders and other parts of India. Further, a special Parliament Protest March will be organised on July 26 and August 9 exclusively by women farmers.
“Women farmers have been at the forefront of this long and historic farmers struggle for their livelihood and future. The special marches on these two days will highlight the unique and memorable role that women have played,” said SKM leader Balbir Singh Rajewal.
The struggle continues…
Regarding a statement made by foreign organisation Sikhs For Justice, SKM said that such calls by separatist organisations are anti-farmer and against farmers’ interest.
“Neither the SKM nor the farmers’ protest has anything to do with such organisations and SKM calls upon them to desist from attempts to deviate and derail the just cause of farmers, engaged in the peaceful and democratic struggle to secure their income and food security of 140 crore Indians,” said SKM leader Darshan Pal.
Meanwhile, in Haryana, farmer leaders Harcharan Singh and Prahlad Singh and about 100 farmers were arrested by Sirsa police for sedition after protesting against the State Deputy Speaker at Sirsa.
“SKM strongly condemns the false, sedition charges and all other charges against farmers under instructions of the anti-farmer BJP government. It may be recalled that although farmers had no plans to hold any protest in Haryana in November 2020, this very state government unsuccessfully tried to stop them from marching to Delhi,” said SKM leader Shivkumar Sharma.
Farmers condemned the government for using “terrorising tactics” against farmers by filing charges of sedition. The SKM promised to assist all farmers and leaders in the legal battle.
Similarly, Haryana BJP leader Manish Grover had insulted women farmers and protesters by using uncouth and unpardonable gestures, said farmer leaders. In response, farmers initiated an indefinite dharna outside his residence at Rohtak. Farmers have demanded an unconditional apology from Grover for his statements.
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