Farmer leaders during the Gurpurb celebrations at the Singhu border. Tribune Photo

Tribune News Service

Karnal, April 30

The agitating farmers and labourers, under the banner of the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM), on Friday celebrated the 400th birth anniversary of Guru Tegh Bahadur at the Singhu border in Sonepat district.

At a joint meeting of the SKM and the Central Trade Unions, it was decided that May Day would be celebrated as ‘Mazdoor Kisan Ekta Diwas’.

Leaders, including Abhimanyu Kohar, Balbir Singh Rajewal, Dr Darshan Pal, Gurnam Singh Charuni, Hannan Mollah, Jagjit Singh Dallewal, Joginder Singh Ugrahan, Yudhvir Singh and Yogendra Yadav said Guru Tegh Bahadur fought for humanity beyond religion and caste and sacrificed his life

“It has been more than five months since farmers have been sitting at the Delhi borders. The Centre is forcibly imposing farm laws on us. Taking inspiration from Guru Teg Bahadur, we are ready for any sacrifice,” said Darshan Pal, a leader of the SKM.

The farmer leaders also emphasised on the progressive writings of Guru Teg Bahadur.

They said taking inspiration from the ninth Sikh Guru, the Sikh community had been fighting against exploitation and they were ready for any sacrifice. “Today, farmers are fighting against oppression, while many other organisations are helping people affected by the pandemic. Farmers and social welfare organisations, who were discredited and abused by the governments and a section of society, are still engaged in social service,” they added.

Religious organisations, including farmer leaders, also participated in a ‘samagam’. They called for strengthening the protest.