First Mahapanchayat Against Three Farm Laws To Be Held In Ludhiana, SKM And BKU To Share Stage

The thousands of protesting farmers of Haryana and Punjab are scheduled to hold a Mahapanchayat (a grand public meeting) in Punjab.

The Mahapanchayat was organised to intensify their agitation against the three controversial farm laws, which disappointed the farmers across India.

The Mahapanchayat arrangements in Punjab came a day after mega gatherings in Haryana and Uttar Pradesh.

As many as 31 farmer unions are going to hold the mahapanchayat at Grain Market in Jagraon, Ludhiana district of Punjab.

Sukhdev Singh Kokrikalan, the General Secretary of the BKU (Ekta Ugrahan,) said, “In the past as well we had organised joint dharnas a couple of times but yes, in this struggle against farm laws, our union members will be part of this Mahapanchayat and even union leader will also share stage with the other leaders.” Speaking about sharing a stage with the SKM, Mr. Kokrikalan said, “Though we had been organising our protests independently after coordinating with SKM, but when the cause is big and there are efforts to create a divide, we should give a message of unity and hence we will be part of this Mahapanchayat. After all everyone is protesting for the repeal of farm laws as of now.”

Kanwaljeet Khanna from BKU (Dakaunda) said, “Though a number of protest rallies have been organised in the past as well in Punjab and even as of now pakka morchas are going on, but in this Mahapanchayat farmers, farm labourers, trade unions, truckers, Galla Mazdoor Union, Federation of Punjab Arhtiya Association and even urban residents of Ludhiana will be part. We may expect students, teachers, shopkeepers and people from all walks of lives. In fact, this Mahapanchayat is being organised on demand of area residents despite the fact that Nagar Council polls are going on in Punjab, but nothing is more important than farm laws as of now.”

According to sources, approximately 1 lakh people would participate in the event, extending their support to the farmers protesting at three borders of the National Capital.

This is the first mahapanchayat by farmer unions in Punjab.