NEW DELHI—As the farmers of Punjab are gearing up to march to Delhi under “Dilli Chalo” call on November 26 and 27 in protest against farm laws, local Sikh organizations of the Indian capital will extend all possible help to them.
The Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) which is the elected body of Sikhs in Delhi, that manages affairs of the historic gurdwaras here and runs several institutions, has started preparations for helping the farmers with langar (free food), medical aid and other kinds of facilities. Besides, other local Sikh societies are also ready to contribute to the cause.
In a communiqué, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) spokesperson said both the SAD Delhi unit and DSGMC would make arrangements for ‘langar’ for farmers who will gather in Delhi on November 26-27 besides providing other essential items to them. Leaders of both organizations will coordinate with the farmer organizations in this regard.
“The SAD has a glorious heritage of participating in movements of farmers as well as the poor and underprivileged sections of society. We will continue to do so and fulfill any duty assigned to us”, he said.
Under this programme, the farmers are organizing a mega rally on November 26-27 to press the central government to scrap the three farm laws. They said if they are stopped by the authorities, they will ensure that all roads leading to the Indian Capital from the neighbouring states are blocked.
Notably, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) and other Sikh bodies are helping the agitating farmers in Punjab ever since they are spearheading the agitation. Kar Sewa organizations have deployed special vehicles and volunteers to serve the agitators as all the Sikhs feel that this is concern of their existence because almost all the farmers are Sikhs.
The anti-farmers laws that have recently been passed by the Parliament of India are the Farmer’s Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Bill, 2020, the Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement of Price Assurance and Farm Services Bill, 2020 and the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Bill, 2020.
All the pro-people economists are saying that the laws will bring agriculture under the control of corporate companies and the farmers will have to work under them. Besides, these laws will further erode the autonomy of the states in the agriculture sector. The BJP-led Central Government is snatching powers from the states one by one.
