Police estimate that 1.2 to 1.3 lakh people attended the rally in Barnala. It is one of the biggest rallies against agricultural laws.
Barnala| The biggest ever farmers’ rally took place in Barnala, Punjab on Sunday amid the ongoing agitation against the new agricultural laws. More than 1 lakh farmers participated in it. This is the largest gathering of farmers apart from the movement going on the borders of Delhi.
At the rally in Dana Mandi, farmer leaders appealed to supporters and women to reach Delhi border on February 27 and join the movement. Farmer organizations have announced to celebrate Mazdoor Kisan Unity Day on these days.
More than 100,000 farmers and farm workers gathered in India’s northern Punjab state in a show of strength against new agricultural laws that seek to deregulate the country's vast farm sector https://t.co/MLhf3fa44V pic.twitter.com/wCoI3NQEhM
— Reuters (@Reuters) February 21, 2021
This grand rally was organized by Bharatiya Kisan Union Ekta (Ugrahan) and Punjab Khet Mazdoor Union. To join it, crowds of farmers, including thousands of women, started arriving in Barnala from early morning riding in buses, tractors and cars. Police estimate that 1.2 to 1.3 lakh people attended the rally. It is one of the biggest rallies against agricultural laws.
‘Trying to mislead the movement failed’
At the rally, State President of Bharatiya Kisan Union Ekta (Ugrahan) Joginder Singh Ugrahan said that the participation of farm laborers was necessary to strengthen the farmers’ fight.
A massive crowd of well over 2 lakh at kisan maha-rally in Barnala, Punjab today. Much larger than any political party could manage at the the moment. Large turnout of women… @Bkuektaugrahan pic.twitter.com/zBGnlDIzjD
— Krishan Partap Singh (@RaisinaSeries) February 21, 2021
He said that on the pretext of the events on 26 January, the central government tried to misinterpret the movement. However they could not succeed in their plan. After this the movement emerged stronger. He demanded the release of those implicated in fake cases during the agitation and the cancellation of the cases registered against them.
Balveer Singh Rajewal, leader of the Samyukta Kisan Morcha said that this is a historic peasant movement. To make it successful, farmers have to rise above caste and religion.
‘Attack on PDS System’
Punjab Farm Workers Union state secretary Laxman Singh Sewwala said the attack on the Public Distribution System (PDS) is part of a larger imperialist attack on the country’s food security. This is being done under the guise of so-called economic reforms.
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