Bhartiya Kisan Union (BKU) state president Rattan Mann while addressing farmers a Kisan Panchayat in Kurukshetra accused the Bhartiya Janta Party government of taking anti-farmer decisions and harassing paddy farmers have threatened to launch an agitation in the state if the government failed to withdraw FIRs against farmers and provide adequate DAP fertiliser to the farmers in the state. A large number of farm activists belonging to various unions were present at the Kisan Panchayat in Kurukshetra under the banner of Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM). They slammed the government for FIRs, red entries and shortage of DAP and later took out a march toward the Chief Minister’s camp office. However, barricades were installed by the police to stop them, following which they sat on a dharna. Later, they submitted a memorandum to Kailash Saini, incharge of CM’s camp office in Kurukshetra for CM Nayab Saini and threatened to launch an agitation if their demands were not met immediately.

The protesting farmers demands include cancellation of FIRs against farmers, adequate supply of DAP, Rs 5,000 per acre for crop residue management, MSP legal guarantee and loan waiver. Bhartiya Kisan Union state president Rattan Mann said the blame for pollution is being put on farmers, which is not acceptable. Farmers are struggling to get DAP, FIRs are being registered and red entries are being made in revenue records, besides imposing fines on them for burning stubble. During the election, BJP leaders announced that paddy would be procured at Rs 3,100 a quintal, and the government should pay the farmers accordingly.

The farmers, on October 28, had announced that they would meet the Chief Minister on November 5 to raise their grievances, but the CM did not bother to stay here, which is an insult to the farmers. Rattan Mann said it has been decided to hold district-wise meetings from November 10 to 15, and also to observe ‘chetavani’ rallies on November 26 at all district headquarters in the state. We are hopeful that the Chief Minister will consider our demands and take the favourable decision, else farmers will launch a state-wide agitation.
Meanwhile, the Sanyukat Kisan Morcha organizers said Chetavani Divas will be observed on November 26 at the national level, along with trade unions and agricultural labourers’ organisations, to mark the fourth anniversary of the farmers’ agitation. Morcha leader Darshan Pal said, “After Delhi agitation, the farmer unions have become stronger and are working with unity. The SKM will extend full support to the farmers of Haryana in their struggle. The SKM had created an atmosphere and political vacuum. The AAP took advantage of it in Punjab, but the Congress and other political parties failed to take advantage in Haryana during the last assembly polls.”