Farmers Rally Against Punjab Land Pooling Policy Sparks Statewide Movement

The Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee (KMSC) made a bold statement on Monday as they organized a bike rally to challenge Punjab's Land Pooling Policy. This policy outlines the compensation terms for acquiring agricultural land, and protesters are calling for public support to rally against it.

According to farmers' leader Sarwan Singh Pandher, the rally is just the beginning. A grand Mahapanchayat is planned in Jalandhar, demonstrating their commitment to the cause. "Punjabis should unite in protest against this government," Pandher urged, emphasizing a larger movement backed by the Samyukt Kisan Morcha to repeal the policy.

Pandher criticized the government for masking the policy's real impact, suggesting it wages a perception battle. He hinted at stronger protest measures, including border demonstrations. Meanwhile, KMSC also backs electricity department workers against privatization, aligning with broader public grievances over potential electricity cost increases.

In a legal twist, the Punjab and Haryana High Court granted an interim stay on the policy as BJP officials announced their own protest plans. Punjab BJP Vice President Fatehjung Singh Bajwa criticized the policy, citing its adverse effects on small farmers and affirming a series of protests from August 17 to September 1.

(With inputs from agencies.)