In response to the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) announcement of six candidates for the 2024 parliamentary elections in Punjab, farmers across the state have taken a proactive stance by erecting posters barring BJP leaders from entering their villages. This move comes amidst heightened tensions following the killing of young farmer Shubhkaran Singh during the recent farmers’ protest.
The Sanyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM), prominent farmer organizations leading the protests at Shambhu and Khanauri borders, have issued posters criticizing the BJP’s policies against farmers. These posters specifically commemorate Shubhkaran Singh, allegedly shot dead by security forces during the protests, symbolizing the farmers’ determination to hold the BJP accountable for their grievances.
Across Punjab, villages are adorned with banners displaying slogans such as ‘Kisana da Delhi jana band hai, BJP da Pinda vichauna band hai’ (Farmers are barred from entering Delhi, BJP is banned from entering villages), reflecting the widespread sentiment of discontent towards the ruling party. Farmers’ unions like BKU (Ekta Dakaunda) have spearheaded this movement, emphasizing the collective resolve to boycott the BJP in response to the tragic events during the protests.
Happy Singh Namol, president of BKU Ekta Azad, affirmed the villagers’ unified stance, vowing not to allow BJP leaders into their communities. Singh emphasized the necessity of holding accountable those responsible for the violence against farmers, echoing the sentiment that the BJP should face repercussions for its actions.
Similarly, at Kotli Kalan village in Mansa district, villagers and farmers jointly displayed a banner condemning the “killers of young Shubhkaran Singh” and announcing a boycott of the BJP and its allies. This grassroots mobilization reflects a broader movement of solidarity among Punjab’s farming communities against perceived injustices.
Manjeet Singh Niyal, state secretary of BKU (Ekta-Azad), emphasized the farmers’ unequivocal message of rejecting the BJP’s presence in their villages, attributing this sentiment to the BJP’s handling of the protests and its failure to address farmers’ demands.
The BJP, however, has downplayed these sentiments, with senior leader Harjeet Singh Grewal attributing the poster campaign to misinformation spread by farmers’ unions aligned with opposition parties. Grewal affirmed the BJP’s commitment to engaging with voters and dismissed claims of a village-wide ban on BJP leaders.
As the political landscape heats up ahead of the elections, the SKM has announced plans for a nationwide ‘Jana Mahapanchayat’ to mobilize public discourse around key livelihood issues and challenge what they perceive as authoritarian tendencies within the Modi government.
The proliferation of anti-BJP posters underscores the deep-seated grievances among Punjab’s farming communities and sets the stage for an intense electoral showdown, with farmers mobilizing to make their voices heard and hold political parties accountable for their actions.