Latest news with #Dallewal
Hindustan Times
5 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
HC stays land pooling policy: Aug 16 protest on, says SKM
Farmers under the banner of Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) announced a rally on August 16 at Baba Bakala in Amritsar against the Punjab government's land pooling policy. Speaking at the 'Zameen Bachao Rally' held at the grain market of Jodhan village in Ludhiana, Bharatiya Kisan Union (Ekta) leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal said this is not just about land, it's about the future of Punjab and its people. (HT File) The announcement came on the day when the Punjab and Haryana high court ordered an interim stay on the operation of the policy but the farm unions insisted that the court's order will not alter their programme. Speaking at the 'Zameen Bachao Rally' held at the grain market of Jodhan village in Ludhiana, Bharatiya Kisan Union (Ekta) leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal said this is not just about land, it's about the future of Punjab and its people. 'The government wants to take away our fertile land to give it to big companies. The government had taken land in the past, too, promising development and compensation, but never fulfilled those promises. As a result, many families were left without land or money and had to work as labourers to survive. The protest at Baba Bakala on August 16 will be a warning to the Punjab government to roll back the land pooling policy,' Dallewal said. Supinder Singh Bagga, district president of BKU (Ekta), said that despite the stay by the HC, the union will continue their protest. 'There is no change in the programmes announced by the union,' he added. Dallewal said over 65,000 acres of farmland, which supports the livelihood of lakhs of people and provides food for crores across India, are at risk. 'The construction of concrete jungles in the name of development will not only displace farmers but also contribute to food insecurity and economic disaster,' he added. The veteran farm leader, who had spearheaded the SKM protests at Khanauri and Shambhu borders and had sit on a fast-unto-death, said that the farm unions will also intensify stir against the Centre to press for their key demands, including a legal guarantee for minimum support price (MSP), full loan waivers, justice for the Lakhimpur Kheri victims, withdrawal of the free trade agreements, and the implementation of the Swaminathan Commission report. 'As a precursor to this, farmers will hold meetings on August 10 in Panipat, Haryana, on August 11 in Ganganagar, Rajasthan, on August 12 in Hanumangarh, Rajasthan, on August 14 in Itarsi, Madhya Pradesh, on August 15 in Ashok Nagar, Madhya Pradesh and on August 16 in Baba Bakala, Amritsar. Following these, mahapanchayats will be held in Uttar Pradesh on August 17, 18, and 19. After that, on August 25, people from across India will gather in Delhi to raise their voices for their rightful demands, under the call given by SKM (Non-Political) Bharat,' Dallewal said. The August 25 protests in Delhi will remind the central government of its failed promises and make it clear that the farmers' movement is far from over, he added. He accused the Punjab government of betraying farmers and misleading them. On March 19, Punjab Police cracked down on farmers, detaining their leaders in Mohali when they were returning from a meeting with a central delegation in Chandigarh. Following this, the Punjab Police cleared the year-long blockades on the national highways by farmers at the inter-state borders at Shambhu and Khanauri. Cong welcomes HC stay, demands CM's resignation Chandigarh : The Punjab Congress on Wednesday welcomed the Punjab and Haryana high court's decision to stay the Land Pooling Policy of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government, calling it a 'victory for the people of Punjab' and a vindication of farmers' concerns. While hailing the court's intervention, the Congress also demanded the resignation of chief minister Bhagwant Singh Mann for attempting to impose an 'anti-farmer and unconstitutional' policy. State Congress president Amarinder Singh Raja Warring said, 'We welcome the stay and salute the strong resolve of Punjab's people, especially our farmers.' Leader of Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa called the HC's stay a 'historic victory' and accused the Mann government of attempting to circumvent the Land Acquisition Act, 2013.
Time of India
5 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Farmers rally in protest of land pooling policy in Ludhiana
Ludhiana: In a strong show of dissent against the Punjab government's land pooling policy, a large number of farmers gathered at Jodhan village near Ludhiana on Wednesday for a massive "Zameen Bachao" (save land) rally. The rally was organised under the leadership of Sanyukt Kisan Morcha (Non-Political), with a united call to protect the state's fertile agricultural land from being handed over to corporate interests. The rally was held at the grain market in Jodhan, drawing large crowds of farmers who arrived in tractors, buses, cars, and motorcycles. The gathering disrupted traffic on roads leading from Raikot to Ludhiana and Mandi Ahmedgarh to Jodhan, forcing commuters to seek alternate routes. Authorities tightened security arrangements in and around the venue. Prominent farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal, who addressed the rally, accused the Punjab government of siding with corporate houses. He described the proposed land pooling policy as a "black law" aimed at transferring over 65,000 acres of fertile agricultural land—used for growing wheat, paddy, and vegetables—to private corporations. Dallewal warned that the policy could precipitate a severe food crisis. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Rude Neighbor Freezes When He Discovers What's Inside A Tree He Was Asked Not To Cut Down Undo "This is not just about land—this is about our survival, our future generations, and food security. The government is bypassing the Land Acquisition Act and bringing in land pooling to benefit big businesses," said Dallewal. Farmer leaders argued that this policy was part of a broader strategy by both state and central governments to weaken the farming community. Drawing parallels with the now-repealed farm laws, they said this was another indirect attempt to take control of farmers' livelihoods and resources. They also criticised the track record of land pooling policies implemented in the past. According to the speakers, numerous plots acquired by the Punjab government decades ago remain undeveloped, and original landowners have not yet received compensation or the promised residential plots. Many of these farmers, they claimed, have been pushed to the brink of poverty—some even forced to take up jobs like hawking or working as security guards to survive. The rally served as a launchpad for a series of upcoming protests. Leaders announced that on August 16, a larger gathering would be held at Baba Bakala in Amritsar to intensify the movement. On August 25, farmer unions from across India will converge in Delhi for a one-day peaceful protest, demanding that the Centre respect their rights and fulfill promises made during earlier agitations. Farm leaders thanked local residents for organising langar (community meals) during the rally. Speakers at the event came from various states, representing different farmer organisations, including Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) factions from Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, and Telangana. Those who addressed the rally included Jagjit Singh Dallewal, Baldev Singh Sirsa, Satnam Singh Behru, and representatives of unions like BKU Ekta Sidhupur, BKU Mahatma Tikait, and the Doaba Farmers Welfare Committee. The demands raised at the rally included: Legal guarantee for Minimum Support Price (MSP) Implementation of the Swaminathan Commission report Complete farm debt waiver Restoration of the Land Acquisition Act of 2013 Withdrawal of police cases filed during the previous farmers' movement Rollback of Free Trade Agreements harmful to farmers Justice for victims of the Lakhimpur Kheri violence in Uttar Pradesh MSID:: 123166046 413 | Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and s ilver prices in your area.
Hindustan Times
13-07-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Punjab: Act in 15 days over missing saroops, Dallewal tells state govt, SGPC
Jagjit Singh Dallewal-led Sanyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM-non political) on Saturday extended support to the indefinite protest that the Sikh organisation — Sikh Sadbhawna Dal (SSD) — has been spearheading at Dharam Singh Market along the heritage street near Golden Temple for the last five years. The protesters have been demanding justice in the case of missing 328 saroops of Guru Granth Sahib in the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee's (SGPC) publishing house. They gave a 15-day ultimatum to the SGPC and the state government for action. Farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal addressing mediapersons in Amritsar on Saturday. (Sameer Sehgal/HT) Led by Golden Temple's former hazuri ragi (gurbani exponent) Baldev Singh Wadala, the SSD, along with other Sikh bodies, had launched the indefinite stir in November 2020. The agitators have been seeking stringent action against the SGPC functionaries indicted in an Akal Takht-appointed penal's probe report on the issue of 328 missing saroops, besides wanting to know the whereabouts of the saroops. Accompanied by other SKM (NP) leaders, including Baldev Singh Sirsa and Sukhdev Singh Bhojraj, Dallewal turned up at the protest site on Saturday and announced to support the cause. 'Apart from being farmers, we are also Sikhs. And Guru Granth Sahib is our guru who guides us. On behalf of the farmers' forum, I had committed during the Khanauri border morcha that we would support the morcha being undertaken by Wadala. The time has come to support this morcha,' he said. Dallewal, who is also the president of BKU (Ekta-Sidhupur), further said, 'We fear a conspiracy. The Akal Takht probe report recommended FIRs against those indicted, but no case has been registered so far. If no action is taken by the SGPC or the state government in 15 days, we will call a gathering here to take further steps.' The matter of missing saroops allegedly came to light on June 26, 2020, after the Punjab Human Rights Organisation (PHRO) wrote a letter in this regard to the Punjab government and the Akal Takht. The SGPC faced backlash and an inquiry was conducted by the Akal Takht under its supervision. According to the inquiry report, 328 saroops were found less in the record of the SGPC publication house. As the SGPC failed to give details, the saroops were considered missing. The misappropriation continued for several years, up to 2015, as per the inquiry report. Countering the charges, the SGPC maintained that it was not a sacrilege. It said that it was a case of misappropriation committed by the employees concerned.
Indian Express
26-06-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Dallewal sticks to earlier stand, says ‘no talks with Centre if Punjab is involved'
The Samyukta Kisan Morcha (non-political) on Wednesday stuck to its earlier stand and announced that talks with the Centre regarding the minimum support price will take place only if the ministers and officials of Punjab are not involved. SKM leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal, who was on a fast unto death demanding minimum support price for all 23 crops, said the Punjab government will not be involved in the talks with the Centre. The morcha had refused to participate in the meeting to be held on May 4, saying that they will not attend the meeting with the ministers and officials of the Punjab government. The morcha had put this precondition to Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Chouhan. The Agriculture Minister appealed to the farmer leaders to reconsider their decision, saying that the country has a federal structure and the state governments have an important role. Dallewal said that due to the Indo-Pak war in between, they could not take the dialogue forward. SKM will soon write a letter to the Centre seeking resumption of dialogue. Dallewal was talking to media persons to give details of the money spent during the movement that lasted more than a year and to talk about the future strategy of the movement. Dallewal said that the Punjab government had ended their movement by deceit. 'Tractors, trolleys and other goods worth lakhs of rupees of our farmers have been damaged. We will not participate in talks with such ministers and officials.' He said that the issues have to be resolved by the Centre, so the talks will also be held directly with them. Farmer leaders said that the fight for MSP guarantee law is still incomplete. SKM (non-political) will continue the struggle to take this fight to victory. He told that a huge Kisan Mahapanchayat is being organised in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, on July 5 on the issue of MSP guarantee law. He said that notices of cases registered against farmers during the agitation on Shambhu, Khanauri and Ratanpura fronts are being sent to the farmers. He threatened that if the Haryana government does not withdraw those cases then another programme will be announced in the national meeting of Samyukta Kisan Morcha (non-political) to be held in Bangalore on July 6. Farmer leaders said that a state-level conference will be organised on the issue of MSP in Bangalore on July 7 in which all the senior leaders of Samyukta Kisan Morcha (non-political) will participate. He said that the land which is being acquired by the Punjab government in every district of the state under the Land Pooling Scheme is part of a big conspiracy to snatch land, but they will not let the government snatch even an inch of land from the farmers. He said that during the movement, from February 13, 2024 to March 18, 2025, the Khanauri Morcha platform received financial help of Rs 34,32,567 from the public. During the same period, Khanauri Morcha incurred an expenditure of Rs 37,65,539. Farmer leaders said that on February 21, 2024, the police vandalised the tractors and vehicles of the farmers, on the repair of which the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (non-political) spent Rs 8,98,654.
New Indian Express
06-05-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Punjab cops stop farmers from reaching police station for day-long dharna, Dallewal warns of fresh protest
Irked that many farmers leaders have been placed under house arrest, Dallewal, in a video message uploaded on Tuesday, said the farmer unions only wanted to raise their voice against the police action on March 19-20 but the AAP-led Punjab government has turned the state into a garrison and started a crackdown against farmers. "Many of the leaders detained yesterday have been sent to jails including our leader Kaka Singh Kotda. CM Mann should keep in mind that such state repression may push them towards launching another protest. The protests can never be silenced through coercion as more repression faces more resistance and rising voices do not tolerate dictatorship," he said. Sarwan Singh Pandher, convener of the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha, said Punjab appears to have turned into a police state. "Peaceful protests against the state government are not allowed,' he said. Farmers, mainly activists of the Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh committee, were stopped at Ajitwal town in Moga and a few of them were even taken into custody, claimed farmer leaders. Farmers from Ambala in Haryana were also not allowed to reach Shambhu, being stopped at Gurdwara Manji Sahib. "Punjab police reached the gurudwara in plain clothes and studied their movements," claimed a Haryana farmer leader. The dharna is in response to the police crackdown on March 19, when farmer leaders were detained after a meeting with Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan in Chandigarh. The Shambhu and Khanauri protest sites were cleared by the state police on the same day. The farmers are demanding compensation for the items that had allegedly been stolen or gone missing during the police crackdown at Shambhu, which they claimed were later traced to individuals linked to the Aam Aadmi Party and police personnel.
