SKM asserts farmers unity remains intact!

Image Courtesy:thehindu.com

The Sanyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) clarified on January 27, 2021 that farmers organisations that came together to form the coalition maintain their unity even after the aftermath of the Kisan Ganatantra Parade.

On Wednesday afternoon, rumours arose that a farmer leader from the All India Kisan Sangharsh Coordination Committee (AIKSCC) had dissociated from the SKM. However, in reality, Rashtriya Kisan Mazdoor Sangathan (RKMS) President V. M. Singh and Bharatiya Kisan Union (Bhanu) leader Bhanu Pratap Singh declared to have dissociated their organisations from the farmers’ movement. Farmer Union stated that the two leaders had already been removed from the coalition group a month ago.

“Right from the start, VM Singh took pro-government positions. As a result, on Dec 14, he was REMOVED as Convenor of the AIKSCC. So, he is taking a decision on behalf of a committee he is no more a convenor of,” said farmer Union officials.

Similarly, the BKU leader was also publicly dissociated from the SKM on the same day.

In fact, farmers said that not a single farmer leader was present at the Red fort on Tuesday. Nonetheless, the Delhi police lodged at least 22 FIRs which recognise nine farmer leaders for inciting violence, riots and vandalism on Republic Day.

According to The Tribune, the list of these farmer leaders includes not only people such as BKU spokesperson Rakesh Tikait, Satnam Pannu, Punjab leader Darshan Pal, Gurnam Charuni, Rajinder Singh, Balbir Singh Rajewal, Buta Singh Burjgil, Joginder Singh Ugrahan but also leaders like Yogendra Yadav who were leading a different parade at Shahjahanpur border.

Moreover, Scroll.in reported that leaders Darshan Pal, Rajinder Singh, Balbir Singh Rajewal, Buta Singh Burjgil and Joginder Singh Ugraha were also charged for allegedly breaching the NOCs issued for the tractor rally.

As many as 200 people have been detained for rioting, damaging public property and attacking police. Officials said they are making arrests after due verifications through phone cameras, CCTV and drone footages.

An FIR registered at Nangloi police station names at least 40 “farmer leaders,” who negotiated with the government. Yogendra Yadav’s name features in that FIR too.

Meanwhile, Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) leader Abhay Chautala, uncle of Haryana Deputy Chief Minister Dushyant Chautala resigned from the Legislative Assembly over the three farm laws forcibly passed by the central government.