Family members of freedom fighter Bhagat Singh celebrated Pagdi Sambhal Diwas with farmers at the Singhu border on February 23, 2021 and attended the cultural programmes carried out by farmers there. Farmers leaders greeted the kin with turbans and a memento.
Abhay warned the government that he will fast unto death if the government does not accept farmers’ demands by March 23, the Martyrdom day of Bhagat Singh. He also saluted the courage of farmers and wished the movement to be successful. “If Govt does not accept demands, I will fast unto death,” said Bhagat Singh’s nephew Abhay Sandhu who attended the event along with Teji Sandhu, Anuspriya Sandhu and Gurjeet Kaur
Regarding the many turbans worn by farmers, Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) leaders talked about the importance of the regional headgears.
“[At the time] of the Pagdi Sambhal Lehar of 1906 also the government had passed 3 anti-farmer laws against which peasants [protested] and it was successful. The unity of farmers proves that this movement will also be successful,” they said.
Farmer leaders said that the turban was once a farmers’ pride but, “the government has forced farmers to use turban for hanging.” They said that farming is already experiencing a deep crisis. The implementation of the three farm laws and the non-availability of Minimum Support Price (MSP) will worsen this crisis and ruin farming.
Similarly, a batch of farmers from Karnataka and Telangana and other states at the Tikri border stressed the need to repeal the laws and procure a legal guarantee on MSP, which is the issue of farmers across the country. They also condemned the government for repeatedly rejecting this movement and calling it a movement of a particular area, rather this movement belongs to the farmers across the country.
Meanwhile, Maharashtra’s Nandurbar district observed Pagdi Sambhal Diwas as well with the All India Kisan Sangharsh Coordination Committee (AIKSCC), the National Alliance of People’s Movement (NAPM), the Jan Andolnanchi Sangharsh Samiti (JASS) and the Narmada Bachao Andolan.
Farmers in Rajasthan’s Sikar city also wore their regional turbans while carrying out a mahapanchayat to raise awareness in the area. Many women farmers participated in the event.
The All India Krishak Khet Majdoor Sangathan (AIKKMS) observed Pagri Sambhal Diwas in Bhiwani city, and people carried out a mass procession from Dinod gate to Nehru Park. All pledged to fulfil the behest of freedom fighters such as Sardar Ajeet Singh who led the original Pagdi Sambhal movement against the Britishers.
Tuesday also marked the birthday of Swami Sahajanand Saraswati which was also celebrated by farmers. Leaders at Delhi borders spoke about Swami Sahajanand’s role in nation-building and mass movements. They also said that this is a fight for the freedom of farmers and they will succeed in it.
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