SKM returns to Singhu for meeting; to observe ‘Day of Betrayal’ on Jan 31, set up camp at Teni’s turf

Almost two months after the PM Modi apologised to farmers and withdrew three farm laws which resulted in the end of the longest farmers protest in India’s history, Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) – a conglomeration of over 40 farm unions returned to Singhu border to hold a meeting on Saturday.

Calling people to observe “day of betrayal” on January 31 - a day after Mahatma Gandhi’s death anniversary, the farmers body reiterated its mission UP to defeat the BJP in coming polls.

After a long meeting that was held to review the situation and ponder the future course of action, the SKM said that the Modi government has betrayed the farmers.

“SKM expressed its dismay and anger that the Government of India has not fulfilled any of the promises of the letter dated December 9 on the basis of which we decided to withdraw the morchas,” said the SKM.

“To protest against this betrayal of the farmers, the SKM has decided that on 31st January, Day of Betrayal will be observed across the country and large protest demonstrations will be organised at the district and block levels,” it said.

Blaming that no BJP government has taken any step regarding withdrawing cases against farmers, the SKM lambasted Haryana BJP government for merely doing paper work in this regard, the SKM also talked about setting up a permanent camp at Lakhimpur Kheri to press for the demand of sacking of minister Teni from the Union Cabinet.

“It is clear from the brazen attitude of the government and the Bharatiya Janata Party in the Lakhimpur Kheri massacre that it does not care about the dignity of public life. Despite the conspiracy been acknowledged in the SIT report, Ajay Mishra Teni, the main conspirator of this incident, is still in the Union Cabinet which is like adding salt to the wounds of the farmers,” said the SKM.

“On the other hand, the Uttar Pradesh Police is over active in implicating and arresting the farmers named in this incident. To oppose this, the Samyukta Kisan Morcha will announce a permanent morcha in Lakhimpur Kheri,” added the SKM.

Regarding the issue of MSP it said, “On the issue of MSP, the government has neither announced the formation of the committee, nor has given any information about the nature of the committee and its mandate.”

Saying that the SKM will endorse and support the nationwide strike announced by trade unions on February 23 and 24, the SKM announced to make it a rural strike, saying that, “the central trade unions of the country have called for a nationwide strike on issues like withdrawal of the four anti-labour codes, as well as on the issues of MSP to farmers and against privatisation. SKM will endorse and support this call in the form of a rural strike.”

On the issue of taking part in the active politics such as fielding candiates or supporting a political party, SKM once again made it clear that “no political party can use its name, banner or platform. The same rule applies in elections as well. The name or banner or platform of the Samyukta Kisan Morcha shall not be used by any party or candidate in the election”.

“If needed, this decision will be reviewed in the month of April after the assembly elections are over,” asserted the SKM.