Shriomani Akali Dal president, Sukhbir Badal asserted that the SAD Delhi unit along with the Delhi Sikh Gurudwara Management Committee (DSGMC) will reinforce the clarion call- ‘Delhi Chalo’ for farmer organizations in the period from November 26-27. Badal also spoke about extending all probable help to the farmers. In this regard, he spoke to SAD Delhi president Harmeet Singh Kalka and DSGMC president Manjinder Singh Sirsa to coordinate the efforts of the farmers’ movement.

Sukhbir asserted that SAD Delhi unit and DSGMC will make “langar” arrangements for those farmers who will meet in Delhi on November 26-27, and will also provide them with other crucial items. He also asked HS Kalka and MS Sirsa to collaborate with the farmer groups in this regard. He said that the Akalis are ready to provide more material support to farmer organizations as per their desire.

Badal added that SAD has a glorious heritage of participating in movements of farmers as well as the poor and deprived sections of society. He further added that the movement for mobilization of farmers would continue and all duties allocated would be carried out. He also requested PM Modi to resolve the resentment of the farmers as early as possible. He further added that the centre should drop the three contentious legislations on agriculture marketing which have been rebuffed by the farmers’ community. Simultaneously, Badal added, that the GOI should pass legislation to enforce Minimum Support Price (MSP) and assure reliable government purchase on MSP.

Lehra MLA and Shiromani Akali Dal (Democratic) leader Parminder Singh Dhindsa on Monday appealed to party workers to join the farmers’ stir in New Delhi on November 26 and 27, “against the black agricultural laws forced by the Centre”. Dhindsa said he, along with other senior party leaders, would also join the march. “The Shiromani Akali Dal (Democratic) stands shoulder to shoulder with farmers in every struggle and assist their agitation till the agricultural laws were repealed,” he added. Dhindsa also asserted that the farmers had never required such laws. “The farmers of Punjab had unveiled the way to farmers of the whole nation. We must all move this fight forward by forgetting our differences. It is time to unite and step up the struggle”, said Dhindsa further adding, “As November 26 is the country’s constitution Day, we have faith that we would get the right to speak on this occasion.”

SAD leaders have asserted that the intent of these laws was to slowly exclude the farmers from government procurement and help the farmers who were reliant on the government and big traders. SAD president added that Punjab was specifically targeted with these three farm laws, and that the central government had made a joke of democracy.

The author is a member of Amity center of Happiness