While Republic Day 2021, in New Delhi, saw the spotlight on the farmers’ rally moving into the Red Fort, there was another development brewing in the backdrop of the protests.

In a show of strength, hundreds of women planned to drive tractors at ‘Kisan Gantantra Parade’ on Republic Day, as a large number of farmers opposing the new farm laws entered the national capital under a high-security cover. The planning for the women’s participation in the tractor-rally was going on for an appreciable amount of time. Social activist Zeba Khan had said that women will be participating in the tractor rally shoulder to shoulder with their fellow male farmers.

Also See: Overview of the Farmers’ unions in the protests

Khan, who is among the women who participated in the rally, had claimed that at least 500 women will be in attendance on Tuesday. “Women’s contribution was invaluable during India’s freedom struggle. On Tuesday also, we will be there to make our contribution to this movement,” she had said on Monday. The activist, who hails from a family of farmers in Jharkhand, added that the rally was a crucial moment in their agitation which was “no less than a freedom struggle”.

Also Read: An appeal from the women with regards to the farmers’ protests

Women took training for the R-day tractor rally

Several rural women in Haryana’s Jind district received training to drive tractors for taking part in a ‘tractor parade’ in the national capital on January 26 against the three new farm laws. The farmers protesting against the farm-laws had announced on January 2 that if their demands remained unmet they would take out a ‘tractor parade’ towards Delhi on January 26, when the country would be celebrating its Republic Day.

Women hailing from three villages, Safa Kheri, Khatkar, Pallwan, in Jind learnt to steer the tractor wheel.

Also See: An overview of Farmers’ protests-role of Charan Singh

“Around 200 women are being imparted training to drive tractors,” Sikim Nain Sheokant, the president of Jind-based Kisan Ekta Mahila Manch had said on Monday.

She had also said that though some of the women can drive tractors in the fields for farm operations, they do not have experience of road driving.

Sheokant had further added that several villagers were also helping them out by offering their tractors and providing them required training.

Also Read: Components of the farm-laws: impacts on the agriculture & farmers

Women underwent training at a toll plaza on Jind-Patiala National Highway for handling tractor-trolleys on road for the Republic Day rally. The protesting farmers have declared toll plazas “free”.

The training was provided, Sheokant stressed, so that the women need not take any help during the rally.

Therefore, the farmers’ protests had inputs from women participants as well.