Amarjeet Kaur, Bhatinda, Punjab
Farmers have rejected the proposal of the Central government, alleging that the Centre is seeking to buy time. In an interview with Bhawna Malik, the Bharatiya Kisan Union Member Amarjeet Kaur said that the government failed to fulfil promises made two years ago. Kaur, who is also a farmer leader from Sidhupur, Bathinda, alleged that the police resorted to suppression of the peaceful protest.
Q. As a member (BKU) and woman leader, you head the Sidhupur zilla, Bhatinda (BKU), How do you describe the role of women as farmers and leaders both in the farmers agitation?
Kaur. The 2011 census says that our country has 3.6 crores women farmers. We also work in the fields for long hours, drive tractors and manage our homes too. Woman participation and its impact is quite visible both at Singhu border in 2020 and currently at Shambhu border. Women protestors and leaders have been lathi charged, pulled, pushed and detained by the police or the agencies.
Q What has been your role during Kisan 2.0 at Shambhu border?
Kaur: Since 13th February, I have been coming back and forth from Shambhu border to my village. There was a Rail Roko, Gherav of BJP leaders’ residence and toll-free call from our leaders in Punjab. I had meetings in my area and women in huge numbers blocked rail tracks, toll plazas along with the male counterparts. There was Bharat Band on 16th, we were throughout the area making sure the bandh was successful.
Q. Farmer leader Joginder Singh ( BKU Ekta Ughraha) initiated Rail Roko, Toll Free and dharna outside three BJP leaders’ residences that too after two days of the protest? Why this protest seems fragmented? Farmer leaders don’t seem well-coordinated this time?
Kaur: No, there is not even an iota of friction amongst farmers or their leaders. Sarwan Singh Pandher and Jagjit Singh Dallewal are at Shambhu border and also in talks with the govt but other leaders are active in their areas and planning protests and guiding others. The protest is a joint call.
Q. Gurnam Singh Charuni (Bhartiya Kisan Union Charuni) led a tractor march in Haryana on 17th February. His participation was not seen earlier. This raises doubts regarding unity and coordination amongst famer leaders!
Kaur: Everyone is aware about the manner in which the farmers as protestors have been treated by the Haryana police and the government. The law says you cannot fire rubber palettes at the peaceful protestors. The villagers have been openly threatened with dire consequences if they participate in this protest. Two farmers lost their lives during this protest and hundreds have been injured and hospitalised. But that does not deter us all. Gurnam Singh Chanuri is a senior leader and many farmers from Haryana joined his tractor march. Also, farmers in Uttar Pradesh too have started agitation. In coming days more dharnas would be planned.
Q. Coming back to farmers’ issues, what’s your understanding of the demands of the farmers on MSP, waiving off the farmers loan, etc.?
Kaur: It’s a misconception that we are raising new demands. The demands such as MSP, loan waiver, free electricity, etc., are not demands. Rather, it’s the non-fulfilment of the promises made by the Central government in 2021. So, this agitation is a reminder for the government. The issues of MSP and loan waiver are not only for the farmers of Punjab but the whole country. I belong to the family of farmers and shopkeepers both. The rate at which a farmer sells his potatoes is nothing as compared to the corporates earnings from potato wafers.
Q. Farmers are critical of the corporates. The corporates create jobs; how can a country be without them?
Kaur: Can a country survive without food? Farmers were there much before the corporates. From a pin to a plane, the corporates decide their prices; why can’t a farmer do that. With giving of MSP and loan waiver, government comes out with the excuse of ‘Mehngai badh jaegi’ and additional financial burden. The air ticket has shot up to Rs 18,0000 from Rs 8000; is that not mehngai?
Q. The four rounds of talks between farmer leaders and the government have been non-conclusive? The government is firm that it would not allow the farmers to reach Delhi! Kaur: Farmers are not fond of going to Delhi or protest on roads, leaving our families at home. What the farmers are demanding is their right. ‘Haq le kar rahenge’.
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