Sanjha Morcha

Leg injury fails to dampen 65-year-old’s spirits

Leg injury fails to dampen 65-year-old’s spirits

Mahindar Kaur at her native Alloarkh village.

Parvesh Sharma

Tribune News Service

Sangrur, December 24

Anger against the Central farm laws runs so deep that Mahindar Kaur (65) who suffered serious injury in her left leg at the Tikri border during the protest on December 3, following which her photograph appeared in the national media, is unwilling to undergo surgery and has requested doctors to allow her to participate in the stir.

A resident of Alloarkh village of the district, Mahindar fears losing her 1.5 acres of land, which is the only source of livelihood for her family, including two sons, their wives and children.

On December 3 night, she was hit by a speedy vehicle while she was crossing the road at the Tikri border. First she was taken to the PGI-Rohtak by the members of the Bharatiya Kisan Union (Ugrahan). Later, she was brought back to the Sangrur Civil Hospital, where she was treated for 10 days and then referred to Rajinder Hospital in Patiala. She reached her village 10 days ago. She was unwilling to come back even after suffering serious injuries.

Even after being in a lot of pain, her activism is still brimming as she has started motivating other women, who come to inquire about her health, to join the protest.

When asked whether she had any hope from the Punjab Government or any other political party, she replied in negative. “My only hope is the BKU (Ugrahan), which apart from supporting my family is also paying for my treatment expenses. I do not have any hope from politicians as neither of them has offered any help to me nor any government officer has come forward for my treatment so far. The present stir will give a new direction to Punjab politics and I want to be part of this historic moment.”

Meanwhile, BKU (Ugrahan) Alloarkh village president Gurdev Singh said Mahindar had been adamant to join protest at the earliest. “Doctors have advised us for her operation and we are ready to bear all expenses but she is not ready. She first wants to see the rollback of the ‘black’ laws by sitting in the protest. We are trying to convince her,” said Kashmir Singh, vice-president of Alloarkh village BKU (Ugrahan).