Hundreds of farmers, affiliated with the Bharatiya Kisan Union (Ekta Sidhupur), converged on Faridkot, Punjab, on Monday to protest alleged fraud by bank managers. The demonstration, which saw the Land Mortgage Bank branch in Faridkot shut down, is part of a wider agitation spanning over a dozen districts across the state against what farmers describe as systemic cheating.
Farmers Allege Defalcation, Seek Accountability
Information was available with The Chenab Times that the farmers, under the leadership of BKU (Ekta Sidhupur) president Jagjit Singh Dallewal, are demanding immediate punitive action against bank officials accused of defrauding agriculturists. The protest also included a march against the proposed India-US Free Trade Agreement, culminating in the burning of an effigy representing US President Donald Trump.
Dallewal asserted that the Aam Aadmi Party government had failed to fulfill its promise of ensuring Minimum Support Price (MSP) for 23 crops, a pledge made shortly after assuming office. Instead, he alleged, the administration was moving to attach the landholdings of farmers who had taken loans from the Land Mortgage Bank and were struggling with debt. He highlighted the dire circumstances faced by farmers, including repeated crop losses and the necessity to sell produce below MSP, which has pushed many into severe distress.
The BKU leader further alleged that the situation had escalated to the point of tragedy, citing the reported suicides of two brothers from Nau village, who were allegedly unable to cope with harassment from the Faridkot branch manager. Dallewal criticized the Chief Minister, despite his self-proclaimed identity as a farmer’s son, for allegedly shielding officials instead of initiating action against those implicated in the alleged fraud.
State-Wide Agitation Continues Unabated
The ongoing agitation, which involves the shutdown of Land Mortgage Bank branches across 12 districts, commenced on March 30. Dallewal expressed disappointment that the state government had not yet taken any action against any erring officials, despite the prolonged protests. He stressed that the farmers’ movement would continue until their demands for justice and accountability were met.
Concerns Over India-US Free Trade Agreement
In a related development during the protest, Dallewal articulated strong opposition to the proposed India-US Free Trade Agreement. He accused the central government, led by the Bharatiya Janata Party, of capitulating to US President Donald Trump and compromising the economic sovereignty of India. According to Dallewal, the agreement would relegate India to a state of economic dependence. He noted that a high-level American delegation was presently in India to further the negotiations for this pact.
The BKU leader called for the exclusion of crucial sectors such as agriculture, dairy, and poultry from the ambit of the Free Trade Agreement. He also demanded the imposition of import duties on foreign goods to safeguard the interests and livelihoods of Indian farmers. This stance reflects broader concerns among agricultural communities regarding the potential impact of such international trade agreements on domestic production and price stability.
National Protest Planned at Jantar Mantar
Looking ahead, Dallewal announced that the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) is organizing a significant protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on June 23. He indicated that farmer organizations from across the nation are being mobilized in large numbers to participate in this upcoming demonstration, signaling a potential escalation of agricultural sector advocacy at the national level.
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The Chenab Times News Desk
