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In pics: Farmers hold Maha Kisan rally against farm laws in Punjab

The rally is of historic importance as the farmers' union and the agricultural laborer's union are coming together to agitate against the repressive state, said BKU (Ekta-Ugrahan).

Updated on: Feb 21, 2021, 16:05:07 IST
By | Written by , Hindustan Times, New Delhi
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The farmers' protest against the three agri laws introduced by the BJP-led central government entered its 86th day on February 21. Two farmers' unions have come together in Punjab to hold a Maha Kisan rally opposing the Centre's farm laws. While a significant part of the protest has been happening around the border areas of the national capital since November last year, Bharatiya Kisan Union (Ekta-Ugrahan) along with Punjab Khet Mazdoor Union held a grand rally today in Punjab's Barnala district.

BKU (Ekta-Ugrahan) and Punjab Khet Mazdoor Union held a Maha Kisan rally to oppose three farm laws in Barnala town on Sunday. (Sanjeev Kumar/Hindustan Times)
BKU (Ekta-Ugrahan) and Punjab Khet Mazdoor Union held a Maha Kisan rally to oppose three farm laws in Barnala town on Sunday. (Sanjeev Kumar/Hindustan Times)

The BKU (Ekta-Ugrahan) on its Twitter handle had said that the rally is of historic importance as the farmers' union and the agricultural laborer's union are coming together to agitate against the repressive state.

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BKU leader Rakesh Tikait has also scheduled series Kisan Maha Panchayats against the farm laws in the upcoming week.

Maha Kisan rally in Barnala, Punjab. (Sanjeev Kumar/Hindustan Times)
Maha Kisan rally in Barnala, Punjab. (Sanjeev Kumar/Hindustan Times)

The rally in Barnala saw massive footfall, with people from all sections of society, irrespective of age and gender attending the rally in huge numbers.

Union leaders addressing the rally. (Sanjeev Kumar/Hindustan Times)
Union leaders addressing the rally. (Sanjeev Kumar/Hindustan Times)

Along with the leadership of BKU Ugrahan, Joginder Singh Ugrahan, Sukhdev Singh Kokri Kalan, the leaders of Samyukt Kisan Morcha, the umbrella body of the protesting farmers' union, Balbir Singh Rajewal, Ruldu Singh Mansa also participated in the maha rally.

Farmers union's women during Kisan Maha Panchayat in Grain Market Barnala on Sunday. (Sanjeev Kumar/Hindustan Times)
Farmers union's women during Kisan Maha Panchayat in Grain Market Barnala on Sunday. (Sanjeev Kumar/Hindustan Times)

Women from the union were also at the forefront of the rally and participated in huge numbers. Most of the women adorned yellow dupatta signifying the solidarity with the union.

Sufi singer Kanwar Garewal performing on stage during Kisan Maha Panchayat in Grain Market in Barnala on Sunday. (Sanjeev Kumar/Hindustan Times)
Sufi singer Kanwar Garewal performing on stage during Kisan Maha Panchayat in Grain Market in Barnala on Sunday. (Sanjeev Kumar/Hindustan Times)

Sufi singers too attended and performed at the rally to boost the morale of the crowd to continue the resistance against the farm laws.

Farmers Union volunteers make tea langer in Kisan Maha Panchayat in grain market at Barnala on Sunday. (Sanjeev Kumar/Hindustan Times)
Farmers Union volunteers make tea langer in Kisan Maha Panchayat in grain market at Barnala on Sunday. (Sanjeev Kumar/Hindustan Times)

As in the earlier protest, in Barnala too, volunteers from farmers' union were seen making and serving tea langar in Kisan Maha Panchayat in the grain market of Barnala district on Sunday.

The farmers' from across the country have been demanding the rollback of Farmers' Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, the Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Act, and the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act passed by the Parliament in September, 2020.

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