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Journalism of Courage
Although the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM), an umbrella body of more than 500 farmer unions of India, is not contesting elections or extending support to any candidate or political party in the poll-bound states, they have a message for the voters: “drive out corporates, punish BJP, save the nation”.
To spread this message, the SKM held mahapanchyats, small meetings in villages and towns of Madhya Pradesh, which is going to polls today, while in Rajasthan their members are still visiting various constituencies.
“BJP candidate Narendra Singh Tomar is contesting from Dimni constituency of Madhya Pradesh. Being Union Agriculture Minister, he was responsible for passing three anti-farmer laws and the death of 725 farmers, including those who got killed in Lakhimpur Kheri, during the 380-day-long farmers’ struggle in 2020-21. Therefore, nearly 10 farmer organisations camped at Dimni and explained to the local farmers the pro-corporate approach of BJP,” Dr Sunilam, farmer union leader from Madhya Pradesh, told The Indian Express over the phone. He is a former MLA from Madhya Pradesh and currently works as a social activist as well.
He said, “We had organised a mahapanchyat in the area about 10 days ago.”
Dr Darshan Pal, a member of SKM coordination committee, told The Indian Express, “We are not supporting any political party. We are only exposing pro-corporate face of BJP as even after the historic farmer struggle, they haven’t fulfilled demands of farmers so far.”
In Ganganagar district of Rajasthan — the state is going to polls on November 25 — farmers had even staged a dharna in July and August as they were not getting adequate water in Gang canal and Bikaner canal from Punjab. Pamphlets with SKM messages are being distributed by farmer unions in many villages of the state, said Dr Darshan Pal.
He said, “Krantikari Kisan Union, All India Kisan Sabha are working actively in Rajasthan.”
Dr Pal said all constituent organisations and individual members of SKM are free to campaign, support or vote for any candidate or political party of their choice. However, the SKM as the largest platform of farmers and farmworkers will not be used for election campaign.
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