Invigorating Success Achieved by Indian Farmers

Historic Success Is Sure to Lead to Historic Victory

- J. Singh -

On December 11, Indian farmers in their hundreds of thousands started their Fateh (Victory) March back from the morchas (encampments) to their homes after winning a historical success. 

The Punjab contingent is moving forward as one, in a procession. People on both sides of the roads have arranged langars (community kitchens) and they are showering flowers from planes and shelters. 

From the decks of the tractors, the songs of Morcha are blasting: Zindabad, Faslan De Faisle Kisan Karuga (The farmers will control their produce). Vibrant colours are everywhere. Nihangs on their horses are brandishing their traditional weapons; women are wearing their most colourful suits; trolleys full of people are wending their way with the sea of humanity as it marches triumphantly home. The sounds of Gurbani fill the air. Blue dresses, saffron, green, yellow, red and blue flags -- the colours of the farmers are everywhere. Shouts of Bole So Nihal, Sat Sri Akal (in praise of victory) ring out. 

Faces are glowing with the confidence and determination the farmers have acquired in their struggle to achieve the success of their demands. Trumpets and cauldron drums are played. People are dancing Bhangra and Giddha on the roads under the flying flags of the farmers. Posters bearing the portraits of Banda Singh Bahadur, Guru Nanak, Guru Gobind Singh, Kartar Singh Sarabha and Bhagat Singh are held high while the old and the young dance together as the caravan moves forward.

On December 13, the victory march will reach the Golden Temple in Amritsar to offer prayers and thanks. Punjabis are calling it the 20th Delhi Fateh -- victory over Delhi. Between 1716 and 1799, Punjabis subdued Delhi 19 times. Speaker after speaker pointed out how arrogant Modi and other ministers are to believe they can impose their will on Punjab. Farmers' unity smashed their arrogance and brought them to their knees. Arde So Jharde (Arrogance Falls) is a common proverb in Punjab. One is reminded of what the leader Hardial Bains predicted in 1985 -- that a day will come when Punjabis will march to Delhi, force it to submit to their demands and open a new path for the people of all of India. He said that it will be a new Battle of Panipat under new conditions and with new forms. Since 1526, Panipat has been deciding the fate of India.

On December 15, all farmers' agitations will be suspended across India until further notice. In a press bulletin on December 9 the umbrella organization Sanyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) said: "SKM formally announces the lifting of the morchas at Delhi Borders on national highways and various other locations in response -- current agitation stands suspended -- Battle has been won; the war to ensure farmers' rights, will continue."

SKM will hold its next meeting on January 15, 2022 to decide further action and assess the situation as concerns the negotiations with the central government.

Celebrations are also taking place around the world as members of Indian communities and their friends mark the success of the farmers' struggle. Along with speeches, songs and the shouting of slogans, speakers look forward to the announcements of the SKM and take their cue from it for future activities.

Many are also cursing the monopoly media for presenting farmers as terrorists, extremists and fringe elements. The farmers say that not only have they won their demands but also the hearts of the people of Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab and all of India, who the media insist are BJP fanatics, backward and not concerned about the plight of their brethren in the north. The facts belie all the disinformation promoted by the ruling class, day and night.

Young poets and singers have expressed the sentiments of people in new songs:

Chetey Rakhiyo Nahin Mukiya Ghol Kisani Da
Votan Vich Na Pai Jave Mul Sadi Qurbani Da

(Be vigilant, the farmers' struggle has not ended
Make sure our sacrifices do not become vote banks)

Kiyon Sarkaran Paundiyan Teri
Akhan De Vich Ghatta Ve
Leader Kiyon Teri Kismat Naal
Khelde Kyon Satta Ve

(Think why the rulers throw sand in your eyes
Why politicians play dice with your fate)

Kali Kali Gal Tustin Yaad Rakheyo
Votan Jinhan Nu Payiyan Khade Naal Nahin

(Remember everything when you get back
Those you voted for betrayed you)

Fikar Karin Na Baba Dekh Halatan Nun
Eh Dharti Hai Upjau, Ethon Khande Hi Ugange

(Do not worry Baba about the conditions
This fertile land will continue to produce fighters)

Asin Padhanga Kisan Mazdoor Ekta
Tera Chhutna Hai Khaida Zindabad Keh Ke
Tanun Dilliye Kath Pareshan Karuga
Fasalan De Faisle Kisan Karuga

(Our slogan is farmer-worker unity
You will be forced to say Zindabad
Our unity is the death-knell for the rulers
The farmers will decide about their produce)

This article was published in

Volume 51 Number 12 - December 12, 2021

Article Link:
https://cpcml.ca/Tmlm2021/Articles/M5101219.HTM

    

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