Balbir Singh Rajewal

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Balbir Singh Rajewal
Balbir Singh Rajewal.jpg
Born (1943-08-20) 20 August 1943 (age 78)[1][2]
Ludhiana, Punjab, British India,
(now in Punjab, India)
OccupationFarmer Protestor and Politician
Political partySanyukt Samaj Morcha
Movement2020–2021 Indian farmers' protest

Balbir Singh Rajewal (born 20 August 1943) is a farm union leader and politician. He is founder of Bharatiya Kisan Union (Rajewal) and the Chief Ministerial candidate of Sanyukt Samaj Morcha party for the 2022 Punjab Legislative Assembly election Although he didn't even manage to garner enough votes to forfeit bail for the seat he was contesting. Rajewal is known for his active participation in 2020 Farmers' protest.[3]

Early life[]

Rajewal was born on 20 August 1943. He started his career as a telegraphist in the post and telegraph department but in 1968 he resigned from his job.[4]

Farmer activist[]

In May 1972, Rajewal formed Punjab Khetibari Union with merger of 11 peasants group in Chandigarh.[5]

When in 1978, PKU transformed into Bharatiya Kisan Union, he was appointed as Secretary of the Union.[4] He is also credited with writing the Constitution of BKU. He also worked with Mahendra Singh Tikait and Sharad Anantrao Joshi. In 2009, he went on hunger strike and demanded relief for farmers under draught funds and then uplift the hunger strike with one glass of juice rather than claiming relief fund.[4]

2020 Farmers Protest[]

Main article: 2020–2021 Indian farmers' protest
Rajewal during the farmers' protest

In 2020, Government of India passed three farm acts, along with other 31 Farmer Unions in Punjab,[6] he started protest against these laws in Punjab and then at Singhu Border near Delhi at Haryana.[7] He is also the member of Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM).

Politics[]

Rajewal has been close to various political parties in past, including Shiromani Akali Dal, Indian National Congress, and Aam Aadmi Party, but didn't accept any official post.[8] During 2020-2021 Farmer's protest, he was against any political participation.[9]


After the withdrawal of Farm laws by Government of India in November 2021, the 22 Farm unions of Punjab broke away from the Sanyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) and announced intentions to participate in 2022 Punjab Legislative Assembly election.[10] Balbir Singh Rajewal has announced to be Chief Minister face of the new party named as Sanyukt Samaj Morcha.[9] SKM has distanced itself from the new party and said it is not associated with SSM. The new party is not allowed to use the SKM banners.[10]

References[]

  1. ^ "The farmer negotiators". The Indian Express. 3 December 2020. Retrieved 25 December 2021.
  2. ^ Rozana Spokesman (20 August 2021). "ਅੱਜ ਹੈ ਕਿਸਾਨ ਆਗੂ ਬਲਬੀਰ ਸਿੰਘ ਰਾਜੇਵਾਲ ਦਾ ਜਨਮਦਿਨ". Facebook (in Punjabi). Retrieved 26 December 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  3. ^ Sethi, Chitleen K. (2 December 2020). "Acupuncturist, ex-Army man, doctor — 5 farmer leaders who shaped protest against farm laws". ThePrint. Retrieved 25 December 2021.
  4. ^ a b c "50 years in farm fight and going strong Balbir Singh Rajewal". Times of India. 20 November 2021. Retrieved 25 December 2021.
  5. ^ Kochanek, Stanley A.; Hardgrave, Robert L. (2007). India: Government and Politics in a Developing Nation. Cengage Learning. p. 255. ISBN 978-0495007494.
  6. ^ "Punjab Farmer unions one year". Indian Express. 19 September 2021. Retrieved 25 December 2021.
  7. ^ "Men who led farmers agitation". Firstpost. 19 November 2021. Retrieved 25 December 2021.
  8. ^ "From being a farm stir face, Rajewal set to play a key role in Punjab polls". The Indian Express. 26 December 2021. Retrieved 26 December 2021.
  9. ^ a b "Balbir Singh Rajewal to be cm face". One India. Retrieved 25 December 2021.
  10. ^ a b "Breakaway farmer unions say they will contest Punjab polls". Hindustan Times. 25 December 2021. Retrieved 26 December 2021.
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