Braving rain, 1 lakh farmers celebrate land(mark) victory
Nearly 1 lakh farmers belonging to 32 unions turned up at the Samrala grain market on Sunday to celebrate the withdrawal of the controversial land pooling policy by the state government. The decision had come days after the Punjab and Haryana High Court stayed its implementation.
The ‘Jitt Rally’ organised by the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) was more than a protest; it was a reunion. After the repeal of the three farm laws, many unions had gone dormant. But the land pooling policy reignited their resolve, bringing them back together in one of the largest mobilisations since the Delhi border protests.
“This is not just a victory, it’s a rebirth of our movement,” said a union leader. Intermittent showers lashed the region, but failed to dampen the spirit of the gathering. Farmers arrived on tractors, buses and by foot; some of them drenched, others wrapped in plastic sheets.
“We didn’t come for comfort. We came for justice,” said Sukhdev Singh from Doraha, who had been stuck in traffic for hours, but refused to turn back.
In a show of solidarity, people from nearly 40 villages prepared and served langar to the crowd. Cauldrons of dal and kheer bubbled through the night, and volunteers worked tirelessly to ensure no one returned hungry.
Maninder Singh, sarpanch of Balion village, led the efforts to serve tea to nearly 50,000 farmers. Balion holds special significance in the movement against land pooling—it was here that the first wave of resistance began, and it was Maninder who initially arranged legal support for the protesting farmers.
“This rally is a reminder of where we started,” he said, pouring steaming tea into cups under rain-soaked tents. Women played a pivotal role, their presence both symbolic and active. Draped in yellow dupattas, they stirred pots, raised slogans and stood shoulder to shoulder with their male counterparts.
“We walked with our brothers, not behind them,” said Manjeet Kaur from Ghulal. “This is our fight too,” added Baljit Kaur from Jartauli.
Addressing the gathering, BKU (Rajewal) leader Balbir Singh Rajewal warned against corporate encroachment on Punjab farmland. “They want our land and our grain. We must stay vigilant,” he said.
Harinder Singh Lakhowal of the BKU (Lakhowal) said, “Our unflinching resistance has paid off. This is a victory for every farmer who stood against injustice.”
The rally also highlighted other pressing issues: Opposition to smart electricity meters, demands for the release of Rs 19 crore in pending sugarcane payments, and calls for compensation following recent floods. Farmers warned if dues remained unpaid, they would march to Mohali on September 2.
International trade concerns were raised as well, with leaders protesting tariffs imposed by the US and cautioning against any future agreements that compromise farmers’ rights.
Punjab