SKM Leader Joginder Singh Ugrahan Declines Government Talks, Cites Unmet Demands and Hostile Conditions
A day after the government extended an invitation for dialogue, Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) leader Joginder Singh Ugrahan, who heads the Bharti Kisan Union (Ekta Ugrahan), has refused to attend the scheduled meeting, citing an unwelcoming atmosphere and outlining three key demands for any future engagement.
Ugrahan clarified that the farmers are not opposed to talks but insisted that discussions must be held in a respectful and fair environment. His conditions for participating include the presence of Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann at the meeting, the immediate release of all detained farmers and leaders along with the return of their seized belongings, and compensation for property damaged during recent police action.
The refusal follows the March 19 police crackdown at the Shambhu and Khanauri protest sites, where demonstrators were forcefully evicted, and several farmer leaders were arrested. Ugrahan claimed that police discarded personal belongings in nearby fields and that some items were stolen during the operation. He noted that the police action triggered fresh protests the next day, which led to further arrests, including of farmers staging demonstrations outside Deputy Commissioner offices.
Referring to an earlier meeting with the Chief Minister on March 3, Ugrahan said it ended abruptly when Mann walked out, raising doubts about the seriousness of the government's intent. “Under such circumstances, it’s necessary to ask whether the environment is even suitable for talks. Dialogue is important, but only when there is mutual respect between the government and public organisations,” he said.
BKU Ugrahan also expressed concern over the lack of clarity regarding the number of detained members and the condition of confiscated property, including tractor-trailers, luggage, and electronic appliances. “We demand the immediate release of our detained leaders and the safe return of their belongings,” Ugrahan reiterated.
Citing these issues, BKU Ugrahan has decided to boycott the government’s 4 PM meeting but reaffirmed its willingness to engage once its conditions are met. The organisation has also announced a one-day protest in Chandigarh on March 26 and has urged the government to designate a protest site.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann is reportedly unavailable for today’s meeting, as he is scheduled to attend a delimitation meeting in Chennai, convened by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin.
Commenting on the situation, SKM (non-political) leader Guramneet Singh Mangat accused the government of trying to divide the farmer movement. “They fear a united front and hence reached out only to SKM, using a divide-and-rule approach,” he said.
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