Punjab: Farmers Begin Lok Kalyan Rally

Even as Prime Minister Narendra Modi continued his campaign for assembly elections in Punjab, farmers held a Lok Kalyan rally in Bathinda and other regions to create awareness among people about the policies of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) that have shown little concern for welfare of the agricultural sector.

Punjab goes to polls on February 20, 2022. Party leaders have also jumped into action, visiting the poll-bound regions, including the BJP. However, farmers’ anger continues to simmer.

On February 16, hundreds of farmers demonstrated at the district-level and sub-divisional level in answer to the Sanyukta Kisan Morcha’s (SKM) call asking people not to vote for the BJP. According to Punjab leader Jagmohan Singh, a group of 10-15 farmers carrying black flags was detained while some protesters went out on the road in protest. Since then, roads near the rally area have been blocked.

As reported by the Hindustan Times, Abohar town administration in Fazilka district announced a ‘no-fly zone’ for the duration of the rally as a “security measure”. While this is the first time Modi has come to Punjab since the January incident – where he was stuck at Ferozepur flyover for 15-20 minutes – this is the second time since Lakhimpur Kheri accused Ashish Mishra’s bail that farmers have come out in large numbers.

On February 14, farmers first demonstrated their ire in Bathinda and other parts of the state. Protesters were enraged on hearing about Mishra’s release at a time when many UP farmers were still facing FIRs for the same event. To condemn the BJP government, farmers burnt effigies on Monday. Even people at the village-level joined this protest and demanded the release of arrested farmers. Meanwhile, leaders observed the rally where it called upon people to unite and punish the BJP government. However, some leaders were put on house arrest while the PM’s rally continued.

Earlier, farmer leaders resolved to undertake ground-level meetings and press conferences in all polling regions to tell the masses about farmer grievances and “punish” the BJP via people’s votes. Already, press conferences have begun in UP. Meanwhile, Punjab farmers said they will intensify their social boycott of BJP in Punab’s regions.