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The ongoing farmers' protest in Gautam Budh Nagar has split, with several farmer organizations breaking away from the Sanyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) to form a new faction, the Kisan Sangharsh Morcha (KSM). This division comes after a series of disagreements within the leadership of SKM, particularly regarding protest strategies and decisions made during a large-scale demonstration in December 2024. These tensions have intensified after claims of internal betrayal and differing priorities between the farmer groups.
The protest, which began in December 2024 at the Rashtriya Dalit Prerna Sthal, involved over 5,000 farmers who were demanding enhanced compensation for land acquired by the government. They also sought developed land in place of the acquired land, protesting against inadequate compensation and poor rehabilitation. The demonstration disrupted traffic on the Noida-Greater Noida Expressway and escalated further when the police crackdown led to the arrest of many farmers. This crackdown, which saw numerous protesters detained, has been a key factor in the growing divisions among the farmer organizations.
The breakaway faction, Kisan Sangharsh Morcha, comprises three major organizations—All India Kisan Sabha, Bhartiya Kisan Parishad, and Kisan Ekta Sangh. These groups have accused the BKU-Tikait faction of SKM of betraying the farmers during the December protests. According to Rupesh Verma, district president of All India Kisan Sabha, the BKU-Tikait faction negotiated with government officials behind closed doors while other leaders were arrested and remained in jail for weeks. Verma also mentioned that the KSM would focus on local issues such as land compensation rather than SKM’s broader campaign for the national minimum support price (MSP).
In response, the BKU-Tikait faction, along with 11 other farmer groups, has rejected these allegations. Pawan Khatana, Western UP president of the BKU-Tikait faction, emphasized that their approach focuses on peaceful protests and engaging in dialogue with the government to resolve farmers' issues. Khatana stated that their faction, as part of the SKM, has consistently supported peaceful demonstrations and would continue to hold discussions with the administration. They have also announced plans to organize a tractor rally on January 26, 2025, in rural areas to highlight their demands.
The KSM's focus on local issues, particularly land compensation, marks a significant shift from the SKM's national agenda. The KSM has also met with Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to present their demands, focusing on land compensation and rehabilitation for farmers affected by land acquisition. Meanwhile, the SKM-led factions remain committed to advocating for national agricultural reforms, including demands for a legal guarantee on MSP. The division within SKM is expected to impact the unity of the farmers' movement, which may reduce its ability to present a unified front on both local and national agricultural issues.
As both factions continue their respective campaigns, the split is likely to weaken the overall impact of the protest in Noida, affecting the momentum and focus of the farmers' demands. The ongoing tensions highlight the challenges of maintaining cohesion within a large, diverse movement like the farmers' protest, with different factions prioritizing local versus national issues. The future of the protest will depend on how these factions continue to engage with both the government and their supporters.