If talks happen, it will be with Centre: Sarwan Singh Pandher after farmers reject SC committee

AMRITSAR: Farmers protesting at the Khanauri border on Wednesday rejected the Supreme Court-appointed committee, with Sarwan Singh Pandher, general secretary of the Punjab Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee, stating that the committee failed to address the issues in a timely manner and that any future discussions would only be held with the central government if it is willing to engage.

Pandher said, “Yesterday, both the unions at the Khanauri border made a decision and put it before the country. The committee formed by the Supreme Court failed to resolve all the issues on time…Earlier, we had pointed out the reasons why we were unable to meet the committee. Now if there will be talks, it will be with the central government, if the central government wants to talk. Now both unions have expressed their inability to meet the committee”.

The farmers were scheduled to meet with the committee today but refused, citing several reasons, including the demand for talks with the central government.

#WATCH | Amritsar | Farmer Leader Sarwan Singh Pandher says, “The leaders that were chosen by the common people are living in palaces and the people who voted for them are on the road… We have told all Punjabis to peacefully protest any BJP official visiting any part of Punjab.… pic.twitter.com/Jgf5gALqY2

— ANI (@ANI) December 18, 2024

Sarwan Singh Pandher said that the farmers are planning to organise “bigger protests in future” and said that the announcement regarding the same will made soon. The farmer leader said that they will stop trains across Punjab as part of ‘Rail Roko Andolan’ today.

“From 12 noon to 3 pm, we will stop the trains in Punjab today. I will be in Devi Dasspura in Amritsar (participating in the protest). We invite all Punjabis to carry out ‘Rail Roko’ at all rail crossings and rail stations. Many singers like Guru Randhawa are supporting the protest”, he said.

He also highlighted that close to 50 farmer labourers commit suicide every day. “Reports say that in 2022, farmers bore a loss of approximately 15 lakh crore due to not getting MSP, and 8.5 lakh crore in 2023. We are getting ready for bigger protests in the future. Today or tomorrow we will announce it. Almost all tracks that cross Punjab will be jammed”, Pandher added.

Pandher also said that the BJP officials will be barred from visiting any part of Punjab. “The leaders that were chosen by the common people are living in palaces and the people who voted for them are on the road. We have told all Punjabis to peacefully protest any BJP official visiting any part of Punjab. If they are stopping us, they will not be able to enter any place in rural Punjab”, Sarwan Singh Pandher said.

In his letter addressed to retired Punjab and Haryana High Court Judge Justice Nawab Singh (Committee head), Jagjit Singh Dallewal, the convener of the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) said, “As you may already be aware, I have been on a hunger strike at the Khanauri border since November 26. Today marks the 22nd day of my strike, and I trust you are apprised of my medical condition. My hunger strike was announced on November 4 by the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (non-political) and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha, which was 43 days ago. Since then, 22 days have passed since the strike began”.

“Was this committee waiting for my demise? We did not expect such insensitivity from esteemed members of your committee. Considering my medical condition and the plight of the injured farmers at the Shambhu border, both of our organizations have decided that we are unable to attend the meeting with you. Henceforth, any discussions regarding our demands will only take place directly with the central government”, Dallewal added.

In September, the Supreme Court constituted a committee headed by Justice Nawab Singh (Retd) to address the demands and grievances of farmers agitating at the Shambhu border. (ANI)