Farmers' attempts to unite hit a stalemate

Attempts to draw up a larger unity in the farmer agitation appeared be on shaky ground as one of the leaders of the agitation by cultivators from Punjab said there had been no outreach by a coordination panel of the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM), an umbrella body of farmer unions from across the country.

- Karam Prakash

The comments were made by Kisan Mutki Morcha (KMM-it is also referred to as the Kisan Mazdoor Sangh Committee) Sarwan Singh Pandher, who also accused SKM leaders of "lying" for saying that they were not consulted before the campaign from Punjab was launched.

Thousands of farmers in long convoys have converged on two points along the interstate border since February 13, seeking legal guarantees for higher crop prices, relaxation of strict environmental regulations, pensions and withdrawal of police cases filed against them during the 2020-21 farmers' protests against the now-repealed three agricultural laws.