THE AIKS, CITU and AIAWU jointly organised three Shaheed Yaadgar Kisan Mazdoor Padayatras (Martyrs’ Memorial March of Farmers and Workers) remembering the martyrs of the freedom struggle and the nearly 300 martyrs of the on-going historic kisan struggle. The padayatras took around a clear message of resistance against the anti-farmer, anti-worker acts brought by the Narendra Modi led BJP government. Aimed at strengthening the historic struggle of the peasantry and taking a campaign against the pro-corporate, anti-people policies of the government, it sent a strong message that the united struggle will go on until victory.

The first of the three marches or padayatras set off on March 18, 2021 from the legendary Lal Sadak in Hansi of Hisar district of Haryana to the Tikri border 120 kilometres away. Lal Sadak got its name as the blood of thousands of martyrs who were killed by the British imperialist regime after the first war of independence in 1857 is said to have turned the entire street red. The padayatra was flagged off from Hansi by Gurjit Kaur, the niece of Bhagat Singh. The massive gathering of farmers, workers, agricultural workers, youth and women was addressed by Gurjit Kaur, AIKS president Ashok Dhawale, AIAWU joint secretary Vikram Singh, Haryana Kisan Sabha vice president Inderjit Singh, CITU Haryana state secretary Jai Bhagwan and others. Addressing the gathering, Gurjit Kaur emphasised on the need for all to unite against the anti-farmer, anti-worker acts and called upon them to take forward the struggle of Bhagat Singh and other martyrs. Leaders of different kisan organisations and trade unions were also present. The speakers paid homage to the martyrs of the freedom struggle and to nearly 300 martyrs of the on-going historic kisan struggle. AIKS joint secretary Vijoo Krishnan, Punjab state secretary Major Singh Punnewal, Haryana state secretary Sumit, Bihar state joint secretary P N Rao and other leaders from Haryana were present. Before starting the padayatra, leaders paid homage to the martyrs memorial commemorating the martyrs of Hansi.

A sub yatra began from Jind district which was flagged off by CITU secretary A R Sindhu who also addressed the mass meeting on the occasion. AIKS finance secretary P Krishnaprasad, CITU Haryana vice president Surendra Singh, AIKS Haryana state president Phool Singh Sheokand, AIDWA Haryana state secretary Savita and others also addressed. This joined the main Hansi padayatra at Rohtak. Winding its way touching different villages and having several meetings, the padayatra marched amidst slogans as well as enthusiastic reception from villagers. People of all ages, farmers, workers, youth and small traders came out in big numbers to welcome the padayatra. Many joined the padayatra for long stretches. Gurudwaras and different villages came out to provide for food and refreshments to the marchers. There were also people in their seventies who traversed the entire distance from Hansi to Tikri. After walking for miles many had blistered feet but that did not dampen their enthusiasm. 

On March 19, two more AIKS-CITU-AIAWU padayatras set off to Singhu and Palwal Border. One of them began from Shaheed Bhagat Singh's village Khatkar Kalan in Nawanshahar district as a vehicle jatha up to Panipat in Haryana. At Khatkar Kalan homage was paid to Shaheed Bhagat Singh and other martyrs. CITU president K Hemalata addressed the gathering and flagged off the vehicle jatha. AIKS joint secretary Vijoo Krishnan, AIAWU joint secretary Vikram Singh and AIKS Punjab vice president Sukhwinder Singh Sekhon, CITU state secretary Chandrashekhar and others were present. Flagging off the jatha, K Hemalata emphasised that the unity of workers and peasants will ensure that the BJP government’s moves to promote corporate interests at the expense of the people are given a fitting rebuff. The vehicles halted at Shambhu Border where nearby villagers had organised a reception. After halting at Kurukshetra and Karnal where people of all walks of life came out to enthusiastically welcome the jatha they reached Panipat by night. Leaders of AIKS, CITU, AIAWU and other mass organisations, different kisan organisations like BKU also addressed the meetings. At Panipat, all participants of the padayatra who converged from Punjab and nearby districts of Haryana stayed in the Kisan Bhawan under the management of Bharatiya Kisan Union (Tikait). The idea behind the building was to provide a place of stay to farmers visiting the city and on the request of AIKS the facilities were made available. On March 20, 2021 the padayatra from Panipat started off with enthusiastic response from people. It was flagged off by Bhagat Singh’s niece Gurjit Kaur in the presence of A R Sindhu, P Krishnaprasad, Jai Bhagwan, Major Singh Punnewal, Dharam Pal Seel and others. The padayatra covered nearly 65 kilometres and reached Singhu Border on March 23.  

Despite efforts of the BJP government and local BJP leadership to disrupt the padayatra, people came out in large numbers in support. One of the meetings had to be cancelled as the local organiser who wanted to welcome the padayatra was pressurised not to hold a reception. However, the march got a rapturous welcome even in that region. The marchers were first welcomed in Ratangarh near Chaduni Jatta in Kurukshetra, where the local villagers had arranged lunch for the farmers. Similar receptions followed in the villages of Patti Kaliyana (Samalkha) and Ganaur where the hosts showered flower petals and greeted them with sweets and water. Women were present in large numbers and accompanied the marchers till the next point. A leading Gurudwara in Samalkha arranged for accommodation and dinner. The number of marchers swelled each day with about 400 marching consistently while others joined in for short distances.

The third padayatra of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh started from Mathura on March 19 and marched about 90 kilometres to reach Palwal Border on March 23. It was inaugurated by AIKS general secretary Hannan Mollah and the public meeting was addressed by P Krishnaprasad, AIKS UP state secretary Mukut Singh, MP state secretary Ramnarayan Kurariya, Mathura leader Digambar Singh and others. Speaking on the occasion, Hannan Mollah pointed out that the historic kisan struggle and the unprecedented unity had put up a resolute resistance and generated hope among people that the BJP government’s moves can be defeated. The padayatra was welcomed in different villages Sarai, Mitrol, Srinagar etc where villagers came out to receive the marchers. At the Palwal sugar mills, padayatra was welcomed by cooperative sugar mill workers, farmers from the region and the director of the sugar mill. CITU workers, mid-day meal workers and workers from Sarva Karamchari Sangh and others joined in procession to Palwal. AIKS joint secretary N K Shukla, AIKS joint secretary Badal Saroj, P Krishnaprasad, Vikram Singh, Bharat Singh Uttar Pradesh Kisan Sabha president, Mukut Singh, secretary, UP Kisan Sabha, Digambar Singh, Madhya Pradesh Kisan sabha secretary Ramnarayan Kuraria, Babu Ram, Virendra Malik, and others were an active part of the padayatra and also addressed meetings.

As the marches reached Tikri, Singhu and Palwal borders they were welcomed with slogans. AIAWU general secretary B Venkat, Vikram Singh, AIDWA general secretary Mariam Dhawale, JMS Delhi secretary Asha Sharma, A R Sindhu, Badal Saroj, P Krishnaprasad and other leaders were present to receive the marchers. Participants overcame great obstacles to be part of the padaytras. Many suffered blisters on their feet and the scorching sun also created difficulties but the zeal or spirits were not dampened. The spirit shows the steely resolve of the workers and peasants to not move an inch back until the anti-farmer, anti-worker acts are repealed. It reaffirms the confidence that the struggle will emerge victorious.