Latest news with #SKM
The Hindu
a day ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Farmer groups to step up campaign against FTA with U.S.
A general body meeting of the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) held in New Delhi on Sunday (July 20, 2025) has warned the Union government against going ahead with the proposed trade agreement with the United States. The SKM said, in a statement on Monday (July 21, 2025), that the general body has also called for nationwide protests against the deal as it could act against the interests of farmers. The SKM will observe August 13 as 'Corporations Quit India Day' and said it seriously apprehends that the Narendra Modi government is surrendering to the diktats of the 'U.S. Imperialism' to sign the free trade agreement (FTA). The SKM said such an agreement could lead to opening up of agriculture, dairy and food markets and that will hurt the interests of the people. 'The FTA is supposed to come into effect by August 1, 2025. August 9 is the 83rd anniversary of the Quit India Day movement against British colonialism. To protest the BJP-led NDA government's moves to accept USA's pressures and increase imports of food and dairy items, including Genetically Modified foods and penetration of multinational corporations in food markets, SKM will issue a mass warning through these mass protests,' the statement said. 'Peasants will raise the slogan 'Corporations Quit India' on August 13 by organising tractor/ motor vehicle parades and protest demonstrations and burn effigies of the US President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi,' the statement added. The meeting congratulated the leadership of the united trade union movement for the strike action on July 9. 'This was the 22nd general strike since the invention of neo-liberal policies and its success has filled confidence to all the democratic sections in the society that the entire working people are ready to fight back the anti-people policies of the ruling classes,' the statement said.
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Business Standard
a day ago
- Politics
- Business Standard
Samyukt Kisan Morcha to mark Aug 13 as 'Corporations Quit India' day
The Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) on Monday said it would observe August 13 as 'Corporations Quit India' day, as it warned of a major "showdown" on November 26, marking five years of the historic farmers' protest at Delhi's borders. SKM leaders in a press conference said the agitation will be over their long-standing demands of a guaranteed MSP based on the Swaminathan commission's recommendation, loan waivers, privatisation, as well as land acquisitions happening across the country, and against the trade deal with the US. All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS) leader Vijoo Krishnan said 106 delegates from 37 farmer organisations from 12 states participated in the meeting held on Sunday. "SKM will observe 13th August 2025 as 'Corporations Quit India' Day throughout the country," Krishnan said. Raminder Singh Patiala of Kirti Kisan Union expressed his concern at the land pooling issue in Punjab and land acquisitions across the country. "On August 13, we will hold vehicle and tractor parades, and burn effigies as a mark of protest. Public meetings will be held between August 15 and November 26, and on November 26, a big showdown will happen," he said. On the trade deal under negotiation with the US, Prem Singh Gehlawat of All India Kisan Mahasabha said, "It will be a death knell for our dairy farmers, and it will hurt farmers as well as the MSMEs." In a statement, the SKM said its agitation will serve as a warning to the BJP-led NDA government which, it alleged, was capitualting to the US pressure to increase imports of food and dairy items, GM foods, and allowing the entry of the multinational corporations in food markets. "Peasants will raise the slogan 'Corporations Quit India' on 13th August 2025 by organizing tractor/motor vehicle parades and protest demonstrations and burn effigies of the US President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi," it said. SKM units in Punjab will hold tractor rallies in all districts on July 30 and a massive 'mahapanchayat' on August 24 against the AAP government's new land pooling policy. On November 26, SKM will hold "massive worker-farmer protest action at New Delhi as well as in the state capitals," it said. The farmers' collective also demanded that the government withdraw the ban on ten-year-old tractors in the NCR region. In the poll-bound Bihar, the SKM said it will reach out to the people against the "anti-farmer" BJP. "The SKM leadership will visit Bihar in September 2025 as part of the campaign to Punish BJP- NDA for their corporate policies, and the details will be worked out by the SKM SCC of Bihar," it said. The issue of Special Intensive Revision taking place in Bihar was also raised in the meeting, and a demand for its withdrawal was raised. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Indian Express
3 days ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
Will Halwara airport push Punjab's land pooling policy forward?
With Prime Minister Narendra Modi scheduled to virtually inaugurate the Halwara airport in Ludhiana district on July 27, hopes are high, and so are tensions. The Punjab government's ambitious land pooling policy, which seeks to acquire over 24,000 acres across 44 villages in Ludhiana, falls in the vicinity of this upcoming airport. But whether the airport's launch will help the policy gain traction remains a contentious question – especially among farmers. Many farmers are sceptical, viewing the timing of the inauguration as strategic, given the resistance to land acquisition. 'The timing is no coincidence,' said Didar Singh Malak, a farmer from Malak village in Jagraon constituency. 'But real farmers won't voluntarily join this policy. Maybe some realtors who bought land earlier will participate. Now that an airport is coming, this region will boom – why should we give up our land when there's no development timeline and no trust in the government?' he added. Malak's concern is echoed by Balwinder Singh, a Ferozepur-based farmer whose ancestral land falls in Ballowal village, one of the affected areas. 'Over 1,800 objections have been filed by farmers from these villages,' he said. The farmer then added, 'We want the government to declare how many have supported the policy, not just assume it. Farmers who fought the farm laws in 2020 are ready for another struggle. Halwara airport is a welcome step for development, but that doesn't mean we'll surrender our land.' Sources said a few realtors have already handed over acquired land in Noorpur Bet village to the Punjab government under the land pooling framework for urban estate development. The villages closest to Halwara airport include Birmi, Issewal, Dakha, Bhanohar, Baddowal, Gahaur, Threeke, Jhande, Hassanpur, Pamal, Narangwal, Jodhan, Rattan, Pamali, Rurka, and others – many of which fall directly under the land pooling policy radar. Protests are heating up across the Jagraon constituency. Villagers are reportedly planning to burn effigies of Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and MLA Sarabjit Kaur Manuke on Sunday. Meanwhile, the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) is mobilising farmers for a massive rally in Mullanpur on July 24, followed by tractor marches across all villages under the land pooling policy across Punjab on July 30. In total, over 40,000 acres of land across Punjab are being targeted under this policy, with Ludhiana district alone contributing the lion's share of over 24,000 acres.
Time of India
4 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Punjab parties unite against land pooling scheme, demand FTA exclusion
Bathinda: Punjab's political parties, excluding the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), demanded the immediate withdrawal of the state's controversial land pooling scheme. The call came during an event organised by the Sanyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM), where parties also pressed for the exclusion of agriculture and allied sectors from free trade agreements (FTAs) with the US and other nations. During the meeting held on Friday, leaders from across the political spectrum sought to strengthen the cooperative sector, annul all existing water accords and review Sections 78, 79, and 80 of the Punjab Reorganisation Act. A consensus was reached to urge the Punjab assembly to pass a resolution and sent to the Centre, advocating for parliamentary amendments to these sections. The SKM had convened the all-party meeting, challenging political factions to clarify their positions on contentious issues facing Punjab. Representatives from Congress, BJP, Shiromani Akali Dal, BSP, SAD (five-member recruitment committee), CPI, CPI (M), CPI(ML) Liberation, CPI(ML) New Democracy, and RMPI participated, with only AAP absent. The land pooling scheme has faced widespread condemnation. In a voice vote, party leaders slammed the state govt, labelling the scheme a "ploy to seize fertile lands from farmers and hand them over to corporates". by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like American Investor Warren Buffett Recommends: 5 Books For Turning Your Life Around Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo They vowed to resist its implementation, citing over 90% opposition from landowning farmers. Some parties even implicated AAP's "Delhi-based top leadership," alleging collusion with corporations targeting valuable land. Beyond land pooling, political leaders supported the SKM's agenda to annul water-sharing agreements, urging the state govt to pass a resolution to the Centre. They also backed the SKM's demand to scrap the Dam Safety Act in its current form, arguing it undermines the federal structure by transferring state rights over dams to the Centre. Unanimous support was also voiced for bolstering the cooperative movement to combat the sale of spurious seeds, fertilisers, pesticides, and insecticides. SKM leaders Balbir Singh Rajewal, Harinder Singh Lakhowal, Darshanpal, Buta Singh Burjgill, and Raminder Patiala presided over the proceedings. Prominent attendees included Avtar Singh Karimpuri (BSP), Randeep Singh Nabha (Congress), Kewal Singh Dhillon (former MLA), Subash Sharma (BJP), Sukhdeep Singh and Dinesh Kumar (SAD), Iqbal Singh Jhunda and Gurpartap Singh Wadala (SAD five-member committee), Sukhwinder Sekhon (CPI(M)), Bant Singh Brar (CPI), Sukhdarshan Natt and Gurmeet Singh Bakhtupura (CPI(ML) Liberation), Darshan Singh Khatkar (CPI(ML) New Democracy), and Pargat Singh Jamrai (RMPI), all presenting their party's views. SKM leaders later clarified their objective is to understand political parties' stances. The SKM stated it would continue to champion these issues, with parties expected to offer external support. MSID:: 122763944 413 |
Time of India
4 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Farm anger shifts, BJP no longer enemy No. 1?
Bathinda: The long-simmering anger of Punjab's farmer movement, previously directed at the BJP, appears to have redirected its focus towards the AAP govt, a pivot evident at an all-party meeting convened by the Punjab chapter of the Sanyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM). The saffron party was accorded equal footing with other political outfits. When questioned about the evolving relationship with the BJP, senior SKM leader Balbir Singh Rajewal offered an evasive response, stating, "It is also like others (aeh bhi doojia partian vargi hi hai)," hinting at a pragmatic shift. Sources suggest the BJP, drawing lessons from its past confrontations with the farming community, has adopted a conciliatory approach, publicly aligning itself with the SKM on several critical issues. During the meeting, BJP leaders Kewal Singh Dhillon and Subash Sharma declared their "rock-solid" support for farmers in opposing the state govt's proposed land pooling scheme. Dhillon asserted that it was devised by AAP's Delhi leadership with the intent to "loot farmers". Sharma elaborated on the BJP's existing opposition, citing meetings with the governor and various protests, and pledged support for any future farmer agitations. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like This Trend Is Changing Bridal Beauty vividtrendlab Undo The BJP also voiced strong opposition to Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) in the agriculture and dairy sectors. Sharma affirmed that no agreement detrimental to farmer interests would be signed and promised to raise the issue with Union commerce minister Piyush Goyal. Additionally, Punjab BJP leaders reiterated their firm stance against sharing the state's water with other regions, citing Punjab's lack of surplus water and emphasising the need for unity on the matter. This newfound camaraderie stands in stark contrast to the period following Sept 2020, when the BJP-led central govt introduced contentious farm laws. The SKM had then initiated a complete boycott of the BJP in Punjab, preventing leaders from holding public programmes for over a year and staging continuous protests at their residences. Even during previous farmer agitations, particularly for the legal right to minimum support price (MSP), the BJP remained the primary target of farmer ire. However, the handling of the recent protests at Shambhu and Khanauri borders by the AAP govt has seemingly shifted the focus of farmers. MSID:: 122764021 413 |
