New Delhi—Five days ago, visuals of farmers being tear-gassed and beaten by Haryana police in different entry points of the state beamed on news channels. These were followed by more scenes of clashes where barricades were uprooted, fury of water cannons let loose on them while they marched towards the National Capital. At the centre of this high voltage drama were agriculturists of Punjab who had given the clarion call of Dilli Chalo against the new farm laws. Now they find themselves, rather unwittingly, to be the face of this agitation. The only face to be precise and they are not happy about it.

“Why is everyone saying that only Punjabi farmers are agitating? Why are we being labeled as truants? Lakhs of farmers from across the country have joined us here at Singhu border. It is not the fight of Punjab, it is the fight of the entire farming community of India,” says Balbir Singh Rajewal, Bharatiya Kisan Union leader, Rajewal chapter. “It is really sad that everyone is trying to reduce it as the issue of only Punjabi farmers. Our brothers from as far off as Madhya Pradesh have joined the protest,” he adds.

There is truth to what Rajewal is saying. Three days ago, BKU national president Naresh Tikait mobilised thousands to join the ones who are camping at Singhu and Tikri border. They were, however, prevented by the Uttar Pradesh police from entering Delhi. The congregation has dug its heels on UP Gate at the moment, and has mirrored what the Punjab counterparts are doing including rejecting the Centre’s offer to hold talks. “This government is rattled that farmers from all over India have united to raise their voice against these draconian laws. We are in it together as one,” he said.

Not only Tikait, social media activist Medha Patkar had led protests by farmers of Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Karanataka on Agra-Mumbai highway. “Everyone needs to see that even though Punjab farmer took the bullet by cops, farmers from 18 states are opposing the acts since they came into force. Saare kisanaan di ladai ae, is vich koi Punjabi, koi Marathi nahin ae(This is a collective battle of all farmers, not an individual fight of a Punjabi or a Marathi),” asserts renowned Sikh historian Dr Supreet Singh Udhoke.

Youth activisit Gauravdeep Singh who has been doing sewa at Singhu border since the protesters pitched agrees. “Contrary to what is being shown in media, Haryana farmers are as much a part of the stir because the new laws have affected the community. Just because Punjabi farmers were the first ones to start march towards Delhi does not mean we are the only ones who have a problem with the Centre. Those who say so should come and visit us here to know how India has united for the cause.”