While the country deals with vaccine deficiency, the fallout of the second wave of Covid19, and the chaos of economic decimation, many might have forgotten about the ongoing farmers’ movement. The day of June 26 brought a strong reminder that the movement is far from over yet.
Farmers sitting on Delhi borders have completed seven months of their protest against the three farm laws. Today they are observing ‘Save Farming, Save Democracy Day’ all across the country.
On this occasion, the farmers will submit memoranda to all the governors in the name of the President.
A large number of farmers are present on the protest-site Ghazipur border with their tractors. But, they have made it clear that they will not enter Delhi with their tractors.
Four to five people led by farmer leader Yudhveer Singh, will go to meet the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi, for which they have been given time.
On the completion of seven months of the farmers’ protest and the anniversary of the Emergency imposed in 1975, the farmers will submit memoranda to the governors all across India.
Also See: Overview of the Farmers’ unions in the protests
Rakesh Tikait, the national spokesperson of BKU said, “Farmers of the Delhi unit will go to meet the Lieutenant Governor. The farmers who have reached the border have not come to go to Delhi. The day this will happen, we will take four lakh tractors to Delhi.”
Asserting the unmovable stance of the farmers, Tikait said, “Farmers who came to the border will go back and then other farmers will come to the border. This will continue till the farm laws are repealed. The central government does not want to talk to us, we are sitting around Delhi.”
For the past few months, there was silence on the Ghazipur border. But now once again a buzz has been created with the presence of a large number of farmers who have arrived with tractors.
Also Read: Three Ms of ongoing farmers’ movement- Mewat, Meo & Mahapanchayat- their Social & historical impacts
Hundreds of farmers and other citizens will send their memoranda to the President through the governors of the states and Union Territories, on the occasion of completion of seven months of the farmer’s movement.
Delhi Metro Rail Corporation will shut for public use three stations, University, Civil Lines and Vidhan Sabha from 10 am to 2 pm, in view of the farmers’ protest.
The protest, termed “Kheti Bachao, Loktantra Bachao Diwas” (Save agriculture, Save Democracy), comes in the backdrop of the 46th anniversary of the promulgation of Emergency.
Dr Darshan Pal of the Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) said, “In the last seven months, farmer unions of India, led by Samyukt Kisan Morcha, organised one of the world’s largest and longest continuous protests. Thousands have joined in from different parts of the country. We plan to intensify our stir as well.”
Thousands from Saharanpur and Sisauli have reached the Ghazipur Gate led by BKU chief Rakesh Tikait, as stated by the farmer unions. Farmers were also seen on tractors, gearing up for Saturday’s rally.
In solidarity with the farmers agitating in India, a protest march is also being taken out in Massachusetts, USA.
Punjab Khet Mazdoor Union on Friday made a crucial announcement. The union members stated that they will start a three-day dharna in Patiala, the hometown of CM Amarinder Singh, from August 9 if the issues related to farm-labourers are not resolved by then.
Farmers’gathering in Chandigarh
Tens of thousands of farmers from Haryana will enter Chandigarh from the Panchkula side. Farmers from Punjab entered Chandigarh after breaking police barricades and facing water cannons and now marching towards the Raj Bhavan of Punjab. Farmers marching towards Chandigarh from Punjab and Haryana will submit memorandums to the respective Governors.
A huge chaos is feared in Chandigarh. A confrontation between farmers and the police is expected at the city’s entry point. Heavy barricading and security have been deployed in and around the city. BKU leader Gurnam Singh Charuni said that they will sit peacefully at the entry point if police will not allow them to enter Chandigarh.
