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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The post Family of Bhagat Singh participates in Pagdi Sambhal Diwas appeared first on SabrangIndia.

Farmers organisation Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) has called upon all farmers to celebrate ‘Pagdi Sambhal Diwas’ on February 23, 2021 to assert the self-respect of farmers protesting the three anti-farmers-dubbed laws of the central government.

The name ‘Pagdi Sambhal’ also honours the peasant movement of 1907 known by the same name. At the time, leader Sardar Ajit Singh and uncle of Bhagat Singh led farmers against the oppression of British rule via three Acts:

• Doab Bari Act
• Punjab Land Colonisation Act 
• Punjab Land Alienation Act 

Together, these laws worked to rob future generations of land ownership while giving the government control over peasants, reducing them to sharecroppers.

Recognising that farmers in 2021 continue to fight against oppressive laws to assert their rights, farmer leaders called upon all citizens to participate in this program by placing poster-banners of Chacha Ajit Singh on tractors and other vehicles and by wearing regional turbans. The song ‘Pagdi Sambhal,’ written by Zhang Sial Editor Banke Dayal was a precursor to the peasant movement.

“The reflections of the movement that Chacha Ajit Singh had started at that time can be observed in this farmers’ movement as well. It is requested to all women and male protesters to celebrate this day by wearing a turban of any colour to assert self-respect,” said the SKM.

However, farmers reported four arrests of activists, who were pulled off Tamil Nadu Express on February 21 night when they boarded the train in Chennai Central to travel to New Delhi and support ongoing protests.

“SKM condemns the police high-handedness in Tamil Nadu where four activists had to find alternate means to travel to Delhi due to this,” said farmer leader Darshan Pal.
 

Related:

Mahapanchayats to branch out to other states by the end of February: SKM

Farmers announce Kisan Mazdoor Ekta Diwas on Feb 27

87 US groups declare support for farmers’ struggle in India

MSP at C2+50%, farmers’ need of the hour: AIKS

Right to dissent is a hallmark of democracy: Justice Deepak Gupta

The post The importance of Pagdi Sambhal Diwas appeared first on SabrangIndia.