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Pagri Sambhal Jatta Movement
Why in News?
On 23rd February 2025, farmers protesting at the Punjab and Haryana borders observed the Pagri Sambhal Diwas to honor Ajit Singh, the paternal uncle of freedom fighter Bhagat Singh.
Key Points
- About Ajit Singh:
- Birth and Early Life: Ajit Singh was born on February 23, 1881, in Khatkar Kalan village, Punjab (now part of Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar district).
- Freedom Fighter and Revolutionary: He was a prominent nationalist leader and played a key role in inspiring his nephew, Bhagat Singh.
- Exile and Struggle: Due to his role in the Pagri Sambhal Jatta movement, the British targeted him, forcing him into exile from 1909 to 1947.
- Return and Death: He returned to India in March 1947 but succumbed to ill health on August 15, 1947, in Dalhousie, coinciding with India's independence.
- The Pagri Sambhal Jatta Movement:
- Initiation and Meaning: Ajit Singh launched the movement in 1907 to protest against three oppressive agricultural laws imposed by the British.
- The phrase "Pagri Sambhal Jatta" means "Take care of your turban, O farmer", symbolizing self-respect and honor.
- Oppressive Laws:
- Punjab Land Alienation Act, 1900 – Restricted farmers' rights to sell or mortgage land, benefiting landlords and moneylenders.
- Punjab Land Colonisation Act, 1906 – Transferred land ownership to the British instead of farmers’ heirs in the Chenab Colony (now in Pakistan).
- Doab Bari Act, 1907 – Stripped farmers of land ownership rights, reducing them to contract laborers.
- Additional Burdens: The British also increased taxes on agricultural land and irrigation water, leading to widespread debt and land loss among small farmers.
- Impact of the Movement:
- Mass Protests: The movement led to large-scale farmer protests demanding the repeal of unjust laws.
- Formation of Bharat Mata Society: Ajit Singh and Kishan Singh (Bhagat Singh’s father) founded the Bharat Mata Society, a revolutionary group supporting farmers.
- Slogan: Nationalist poet Banke Dayal coined the slogan "Pagri Sambhal Jatta," which became a symbol of defiance.
- British Response: The British withdrew some oppressive clauses due to rising pressure.
- Influence on Future Movements: The movement laid the foundation for future uprisings, inspiring the Ghadar Movement and Bhagat Singh’s revolutionary activities.
- Arrests and Exile: In May 1907, Ajit Singh and Lala Lajpat Rai were arrested and exiled to Burma (now Myanmar) but were released in November 1907 under public pressure.
- Ajit Singh later fled to Persia, Turkey, Brazil, Germany, and Italy, working with revolutionaries like Lala Hardayal and Madame Cama.
- Pagri Sambhal Diwas:
- Observance Since 2021: Farmers have been observing February 23 as Pagri Sambhal Diwas since 2021, coinciding with Ajit Singh’s birth anniversary.
- 2021 Farmer Protests: During the Delhi border protests, farmers marked Pagri Sambhal Diwas while demanding the repeal of the three farm laws (now scrapped).
- 2024 Protests: Since February 13, 2024, farmers have been protesting at Punjab and Haryana borders, demanding Minimum Support Price as a legal guarantee and other rights.