Empowering and Advocating for Farmers’ Rights through Legal Support

UNITED SIKHSMarch 11, 2024

In a move to uphold justice and human rights, UNITED SIKHS has announced advocacy and humanitarian support for the farmers affected in the current protests. At a press conference, our directors Amritpal Singh and Gurpreet Singh, along with Advocate Gurmohanpreet Singh, and farmer leaders — Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) leader Baldev Singh Sirsa and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM) leader Ashok Balhara, outlined their efforts to provide legal assistance and support to the farming community.

Farmers are camping on the border between Panjab and Haryana after being blocked by concrete and metal barricades to stop their march towards Delhi. Police have detained some protesters. Recent unfortunate incidents have led to multiple requests for humanitarian and legal support.

“Our response to the recent incidents involving the farming communities is two-fold: immediate medical assistance and long-term legal support,” stated Gurpreet Singh, Director, UNITED SIKHS. “We have mobilized resources including ambulances for medical aid, along with our legal team to address the injustices faced by the farmers during the peaceful protests.”

Legal Aid

We’ve initiated writ petitions in the Panjab and Haryana High Court against the use of excessive force and rights violations, aiming to protect the fundamental rights and dignity of all farmers. Key actions include:

Civil writ petitions for three injured farmers including Amritpal Singh, Preetpal Singh and Jaskaran Singh in addition to that of Shubhkaran Singh, the 21-year-old youth who was killed after being hit by a pellet in his head.
Reporting that 153 patients required immediate hospitalization at Rajindra Hospital, Patiala, due to protest-related injuries.
According to this report in the The Tribune, six farmers have died so far in the recent protests. In two cases, families of the deceased allege that inhalation of tear gas fired at them led to lung infections and deaths.

Preetpal Singh was serving langar at Khanauri border. He was forcibly put in a sack, beaten and dragged. Brutal force was used, as he suffered multiple injuries including five facial fractures and cannot even drink water.
Amritpal Singh was serving water to the victims of tear gas, when a gas grenade exploded on his leg causing multiple fractures.
A self-loading rifle (SLR) bullet crossed the arm of 18-year-old Jaskaran Singh. His grandfather was standing beside him.
“Another farmer Pushpinder Singh said he was just talking to a journalist. When he turned back, a pellet just tore is left eyeball into two,” advocate Gurmohanpreet Singh said.

Baldev Singh Sirsa, leader of Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) said, “The solidarity and assistance provided by UNITED SIKHS have been invaluable, not only during the current protests but also in past crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic.

Farmer leader representing Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM) Ashok Balhara said, “We express our gratitude to the humanitarian efforts by UNITED SIKHS and similar NGOs on the ground, and we appeal for support to the on-going work for the rights of the farmers”

A Farmer Relief Helpline (+91 9999053503) has been established to provide farmers with direct access to legal support and guidance.