New Delhi: The farmers who have been protesting at the Khanauri and Shambhu border of Delhi for more than two months against the central government’s farm laws are not ready to give up. They have announced that they will not retreat until they reach the national capital and get their demands fulfilled.
The farmers, who belong to various unions and groups, have been demanding the repeal of the three farm laws passed by the parliament in 2020, which they say will leave them at the mercy of big corporations and undermine their livelihoods. They also want a legal guarantee for the minimum support price (MSP) of crops, which is the price at which the government buys their produce. Additionally, they are asking for the implementation of the recommendations of the Swaminathan Commission, which suggested several measures to improve the condition of farmers, such as pension, loan waiver, crop insurance, and irrigation facilities.
The farmers have faced several obstacles in their protest, such as police barricades, water cannons, tear gas, and internet shutdowns. They have also braved the harsh weather conditions and the loss of lives of some of their fellow protesters. Despite these challenges, they have remained firm in their stance and have refused to accept any compromise offered by the government.
Farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher said that they will not move from their current locations without their tractors and trolleys, which are the symbols of their protest. He said that they have not changed their decision to march towards Delhi, and they will wait until the government reopens the roads that have been blocked to prevent them from entering the city. He also said that they have asked farmers from other states to join them in their protest by marching towards Delhi on March 6 using railways, buses, or any other vehicle.
Another farmer leader, Jagjit Singh Dallewal, said that they have planned a rail roko movement on March 10, in which they will stop the trains from running between 12 pm and 4 pm. He said that this is part of their strategy to put pressure on the government and make them listen to their demands. He also said that they have not postponed their program of going to Delhi, and they will do so on March 6 by any means possible. He added that they will also hold a Kisan Mahapanchayat on March 14, which will be a massive gathering of farmers from across the country. He said that more than 400 farmer unions will participate in this event, which will show the unity and strength of the farmers’ movement.
