JALANDHAR: Punjab got out of “agitation mode” just before the elections and now when the state is about to have a new government, it is again getting back into that mode, if latest stance and announcements by farm groups are any indication.
Like previous agitation, farm groups are again hitting the ground with protests, this time on the issue of Bhakra Beas Management Board and voices are also emanating about Dam Safety Act.
There may be no clarity that who would form the next government in Punjab, but it is certain that the way things have evolved after the polling on February 20, the chair of the chief minister will be like crown of thorns, given the big challenges for the state government on one hand, including a loan of around Rs three lakh crore, and situation at ground not settling and moderate to mass mobilizations have already been witnessed.
Ironically, farmers were at the centre of entire political discourse just three months back till the three controversial farm laws were repealed, but when electioneering picked up, they were missing as a factor and their issues were largely shadowed by other issues and narratives pushed by the parties.
Though farm groups could neither themselves capitalize politically the success of the farm movement nor could they practice ‘vote ki chot’ formula, so it was the Aam Aadmi Party that managed to gain out of the fluidity and narrative this movement pushed. Yet, these are the farm groups once again which appear to be pushing the narrative on BBMB issue once again. Barring BJP, other parties have already spoken up on the issue and like farm bills their stand is closer to what farm groups are arguing.
Meanwhile, BKU leader Rakesh Tikait has already said that Dam Safety Act has snatched away the rights of the states over water, while a few of the farm and other activists have also started flagging the issues pertaining to this Act.
The stance being taken by the farm groups and the huge Sikh gathering at last rites of actor turned activist Deep Sidhu at Fatehgarh Sahib reflect that moderate to mass mobilization can happen once again in the state, especially when the old issues remain and new one are coming up. Behbal Kalan firing victim Krishan Bhagwan Singh’s son Sukh Raj Singh has been sitting on a morcha at the site of firing to press for justice for the last over 80 days.
Notwithstanding serious questions about his performance on other fronts, Captain Amarinder Singh could tackle the farm movement quite tactfully within the state when it had started in June 2020 and later Charanjit Singh Channi was also breathing easy as the protests were at the border of Delhi.
But this time, the new government would have to tackle the situation within the state in the case the farm groups push the issue further on the ground.
Like previous agitation, farm groups are again hitting the ground with protests, this time on the issue of Bhakra Beas Management Board and voices are also emanating about Dam Safety Act.
There may be no clarity that who would form the next government in Punjab, but it is certain that the way things have evolved after the polling on February 20, the chair of the chief minister will be like crown of thorns, given the big challenges for the state government on one hand, including a loan of around Rs three lakh crore, and situation at ground not settling and moderate to mass mobilizations have already been witnessed.
Ironically, farmers were at the centre of entire political discourse just three months back till the three controversial farm laws were repealed, but when electioneering picked up, they were missing as a factor and their issues were largely shadowed by other issues and narratives pushed by the parties.
Though farm groups could neither themselves capitalize politically the success of the farm movement nor could they practice ‘vote ki chot’ formula, so it was the Aam Aadmi Party that managed to gain out of the fluidity and narrative this movement pushed. Yet, these are the farm groups once again which appear to be pushing the narrative on BBMB issue once again. Barring BJP, other parties have already spoken up on the issue and like farm bills their stand is closer to what farm groups are arguing.
Meanwhile, BKU leader Rakesh Tikait has already said that Dam Safety Act has snatched away the rights of the states over water, while a few of the farm and other activists have also started flagging the issues pertaining to this Act.
The stance being taken by the farm groups and the huge Sikh gathering at last rites of actor turned activist Deep Sidhu at Fatehgarh Sahib reflect that moderate to mass mobilization can happen once again in the state, especially when the old issues remain and new one are coming up. Behbal Kalan firing victim Krishan Bhagwan Singh’s son Sukh Raj Singh has been sitting on a morcha at the site of firing to press for justice for the last over 80 days.
Notwithstanding serious questions about his performance on other fronts, Captain Amarinder Singh could tackle the farm movement quite tactfully within the state when it had started in June 2020 and later Charanjit Singh Channi was also breathing easy as the protests were at the border of Delhi.
But this time, the new government would have to tackle the situation within the state in the case the farm groups push the issue further on the ground.