After Mahapanchayats held in Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Haryana in a show of strength and to assistance the farmers protesting at Delhi borders, Punjab is holding its 1st-ever Mahapanchayat this afternoon. According to reports, about 31 farmer unions are anticipated to participate in the Mahapanchayat with about one lakh people today attending the gathering.
According to a report by , the Mahapanchayat getting held in Jagraon grain marketplace in Ludhiana, will see the participation of farmers and labourers from Ludhiana, Moga and Barnala places. As per the report, arhtiyas, truckers, trade union members and residents are also anticipated to participate in the gathering. The police have heightened safety arrangements in the location. According to the newest report, farmers have currently began to pour-in at the venue.
Kanwaljeet Khanna from BKU (Dakaunda) told IE that farmers, farm labourers, trade unions, truckers, Galla Mazdoor Union, Federation of Punjab Ahrtiya Association will take aspect in the Mahapanchayat.
Farm union leaders Balbir Singh Rajewal, Darshan Pal and Rakesh Tikait are also anticipated to attend it. Also, for the 1st time, BKU (Ekta Ugrahan) will be sharing a stage with Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM). Though the BKU (Ekta Ugrahan) members have been coordinating with the SKM but have by no means shared the stage.
Sukhdev Singh Kokrikalan, common secretary of BKU (Ekta Ugrahan) stated that they are with each other in this movement against the farm laws.
Kulwant Singh Sandhu, common secretary of the Jamhoori Kisan Sabha, stated that people today want the union leaders to address the gathering on a joint platform.
The Mahapanchayat in Punjab will be distinct from these in Haryana and Uttar Pradesh as the Punjab government has been openly supporting the farmers’ protest as opposed to the BJP governments in Haryana and Uttar Pradesh.
Punjab is also going to have regional body polls later this week. The farmers’ protest has been a speaking point even in the regional body elections. Aam Aadmi Party and Shiromani Akali Dal are two most important opposition parties in Punjab and they have currently extended their assistance to the farmers’ protest against the 3 farm laws.