Former MP and nationwide president of BKU Bhupinder Singh Mann, 81, whose inclusion within the committee named by the Supreme Court stoked controversy amongst farmer unions, has recused himself from the four-member panel.
In a press release, Mann stated, “While I am thankful to the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India for nominating me in the 4 member committee to start dialogue with Kisan Unions on the three laws brought in by the Central Government.”
“As a farmer myself and a Union leader, in view of the prevailing sentiments and apprehensions amongst the farm unions and the public in general, I am ready to sacrifice any position offered or given to me so as to not compromise the interests of Punjab and farmers of the country, I am recusing myself from the committee and I will always stand with my farmers and Punjab,” he stated.
am recusing myself from the committee and I’ll at all times stand with my farmers and Punjab,” Mann stated.
A resident of Batala district of Punjab, Mann was an impartial member of the Rajya Sabha from 1990 to 1996. He had supported Congress within the 2012, 2017 Vidhan Sabha polls and within the 2019 Lok Sabha polls in Punjab, and is in assist of the Centre’s farm legal guidelines. His son is a member of the Punjab Public Service Commission since 2018, and was additionally a member of the Punjab Infrastructure Development Board for a brief time period in the course of the Amarinder authorities.
The 81-year-old is president of the Bharti Kisan Union (Mann) and chairman of the All India Kisan Coordination Committee (AIKCC), which was shaped within the early 80s. “I have been active for the cause of farmers since decades. In 1966, I had formed the Punjab Kheti Bari Union, which further took form as BKU in 1980. I was the founder chairman of AIKCC and even now am chairman. BKU was the original organisation and later many organisations bifurcated from it. Now, many BKUs have been formed,” he had stated.
