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Pucca constructions being built at the farmer-protest sites leading authorities to intervene

Farmer construction

Farmers’ protest is taking a new turn at the Singhu and Tikri sites of the protests. The protesters have started building pucca brick and cement structures at the sites which have led the authorities to intervene. The construction at the Singhu site has stopped at around midnight while it has not halted at the Tikri-site.

At the Tikri-site, the first pucca settlement came up on March 12. The chhappar (thatch) for the constructions were mostly built in villages and were brought at the sites. Bricks, mud and other construction materials were loaded onto the trucks and were brought at the protest sites.

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

One of the recently built permanent structures at the protest site is also doubling as a meeting and high-command centre for the farmers’ organization, the Kisan Social Army.

A member of the United Kisan Manch stated that the protesters cannot live in tents in this weather, and that the government has not helped them during the winter nights, hence these drastic steps are being taken.

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

Samyukta Kisan Morcha members said that they are planning to finish the construction within three weeks and will accommodate 10-15 people in each house. All construction material is bought from factories and landowners in Kundli, a member of the SKM said, adding that it is being carried in e-rickshaws and tractors.

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Farmers’ movement reaches Bengal: Mahapanchayats by farmer-leaders to be held at multiple locations in West Bengal from March 13 onwards

Farmer-pro-Kolkata

In the poll-bound West Bengal, the Sanyukt Kisan Morcha, which represents at least 40 farmers’ unions, will be holding five back-to-back mahapanchayats. This would be to highlight the pro-corporate agenda of the three central farm-laws.

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

The trouble which has been haunting BJP at the Delhi-borders will now tighten its grip around the saffron camp across the poll-bound states. The rallies will be held in coordination with West Bengal Kisan Coordination Committee in Kolkata, Nandigram, Singur & Asansol.

Rakesh Tikait, the leader of BKU, and Yudhvir Singh, BKU-general secretary would lead the mahapanchayat in Kolkata on March13. Other leaders of SKM like Balbir Singh Rajewal, Gurnam Singh Chaduni, Darshan Pal, Manjit Singh, Himanshu Tiwari, Avik Saha & Yogendra Yadav would also be taking part in the mahapanchayats.

Also See: Would West Bengal election really be a three-way fight after the defections?

Yudhvir Singh stated, “Farmers in West Bengal are also facing several problems. Their issues should find a way into the manifestos of the political parties who want to come to power. Farmers in that state also are not getting appropriate prices for their crops, while those involved in fisheries are also facing problems.”

He added in the context of the farmers’ protests against the new farm-laws (being termed as black laws), “We will update farmers about the pro-corporate agenda of the BJP behind introducing the three farm-laws and will urge to vote for candidates of other parties.”

The upcoming rallies by the farmer-leaders are definitely bound to cripple the chances of BJP in the state election in West Bengal.

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Bharat Bandh-Farmers’ unions called for nationwide strike on March 26- some trade unions will also join the strike

India-farmers-protest

A nationwide strike has been called by the Farmers’ unions on March 26 when their ongoing protest at Delhi borders will complete four months. This is being planned to carry ahead the farmers’ protests against the contentious farm-laws. Announcing their future programmes protesting against the three farm-laws enacted by Parliament in 2020, the farmers’ unions said that some trade unions will also join them in their protest against fuel price hike on March 15.

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

The doubt over the involvement of fringe elements during the Red Fort violence, intending to malign the farmers’-movement has gained weight after the arrest of Deep Sidhu. It had sullied the image of the so-far peaceful protest by the farmers. Consequently, farmers’ unions are focussing more on spreading their message to other states through visits, mahapanchayats among others, instead of staying put only at Delhi borders.

On March 19, the farmers will observe “Mandi Bachao-Kheti Bachao” day, Buta Singh Burjgill, a prominent farmer-leader said.

The farmer-unions have also decided to celebrate ‘Shaheedi divas’ of Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev, the farmer leader said.

Youths from all parts of the country will join the farmers’ protests at Delhi borders on that day, Burjgill added.

Also Read: Aman Dabas & Krishnan Dabas with connections to BJP were among the group creating violence at the farmers’ protest site

Farmers from Punjab, Uttar Pradesh are coming to Singhu, Tikri, Ghazipur protest sites to continue the protests.  Meanwhile, farmer-union leaders are touring other states and some of the protesting farmers who have been at the protest-sites since November-December are going back to take care of crops.

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

On February 26, the Confederation of All India Traders had called for a nationwide strike demanding a review of the provisions of the goods and services tax (GST) regime. Recently, the farmers observed the 100th day of their ongoing protest and said that the protests will go on unless the laws are repealed.

Farmer leader Buta Singh Burjgill said that farmers along with trade unions will protest the hike in fuel prices and privatisation of railways on March 15.

Bharatiya Kisan Union leader Rakesh Tikait said in Madhya Pradesh, “If needed, we, on lakhs of tractors, will reach Parliament to press for the repeal of the three black laws. 3,500 tractors entered Delhi on Republic Day. These were not hired tractors.”

Farmer-leaders have also said that copies of the new farm-laws will be burnt during ‘Holika Dahan’ on March 28.

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Woman dies of heart attack while returning from farmers’ protests at Tikri protest site

FP

While returning to her native village Bhaini Bagha in Mansa district after taking part in the farmers’ protests at the Tikri border on Tuesday, Sukhpal Kaur, 51, reportedly died of a heart attack.

BKU (Ugrahan) and other farmer-unions, calling her a martyr, demanded a compensation of Rs 10 lakh and a government job to the next of kin of the deceased.

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

Kaur was cremated amid a huge gathering from different villages. Sukhpal was returning to her village with other women when she complained of uneasiness and fell unconscious.

She was rushed to a private hospital in Fatehabad district of Haryana where doctors declared her “brought dead”.

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

BKU (Ugrahan) district unit president Ram Singh said, “Sukhpal Kaur has attained martyrdom by dying for the just cause of farmers. We are resolute in our stance and would not let such sacrifices go waste.” Kaur is survived by her daughter and son.

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In Haryana state assembly, the no-confidence motion against the BJP-JJP government was defeated

Haryana state assembly

On Wednesday, the coalition government of BJP-JJP in Haryana defeated the Congress’ no-confidence motion in the state Assembly. The no-confidence motion was supported by 32 members, including all Congress MLAs, after over three hours of discussion. But all the BJP-JJP MLAs voted against the motion, which was finally opposed by 55 members.

Ram Kumar Gautam and Devender Babli, the two JJP MLAs, who had been vocal for their party to withdraw support from the BJP, also opposed the no-confidence motion.

The motion of no confidence against the BJP-JJP government, brought by the main opposition Congress, was on Wednesday taken up in the Haryana Assembly. As the debate on the motion started with the BJP and Congress legislators attacking each other, Speaker Gian Chand Gupta extended the two-hour discussion by an additional hour.

Also Read: Components of the Farm bills 2020- possible impacts on agriculture which is already under the insidious pressure of climate change

After the end of the Question Hour, the Speaker admitted the notice of no-confidence motion against the Council of Ministers and two hours were kept for discussion. Later, the Speaker extended the discussion on the no-confidence motion by an additional hour.

“I have received no-confidence motion from the Leader of Opposition (Bhupinder Singh Hooda) and 27 other Congress MLAs,” the Speaker said.

Moving the no-confidence motion in the Assembly, Hooda said, “More than 250 farmers died on the border. I presented their names but I did not find it in the newspaper.” He said, “I do not want to talk about the farm legislations because it will be said that it is a central subject. But I am pained to see farmers sitting on roads at Delhi’s borders. These are farmers from everywhere, all states. Nobody blocked traffic, yet the government used force on them, water canons, lathi charge, iron rods were used to hit farmers. The government must remember that even iron rods cannot break a farmer’s head.”

Highlighting the farmers’ protests, the Congress argued that the three farm laws brought by the government were in favour of corporates. The BJP, on the other hand, accused the Congress of instigating the farmers’ protests and misleading farmers over the laws.

“If deputy CM sees bloodstains of 250 farmers on his chair, he should resign,” said Raghubir Kadian, urging Dushyant and Naina Chautala to withdraw their support from BJP.

In the 90-member Haryana Assembly, currently having an effective strength of 88 members, the ruling BJP has 40 members, the JJP 10 and the Congress 30. Seven are Independents, five of whom are supporting the government, while one member is of the Haryana Lokhit Party, who has also extended support to the government.

 (PTI)

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No confidence motion tabled in Haryana assembly with regards to the farmers’ protests-NCM motion would probably reveal the MLAs who do not support farmers’ cause

Khattar-Hooda

As the farmers’ protest is raging on, a “no confidence motion” has been tabled in Haryana assembly & the speaker has allowed two hours of discussion on the motion. The no confidence motion will probably reveal the MLAs who do not support the cause of the farmers.

The ruling party in Haryana, BJP is facing a no-confidence motion in the assembly today. The opposition party Congress has claimed that two Independent MLAs supporting the government have withdrawn support. The exercise, however, is seen as a plan to embarrass the government amid widespread anger over the centre’s new farm-laws. The BJP which has an alliance with Dushyant Chautala’s Jannayak Janata Party has claimed that there is no threat to the government. The Congress motion is likely to pile pressure on the JJP, with the Congress saying that it is meant to reveal to the people which MLAs do not support the farmers’ cause. Members of the JJP have admitted that they are being boycotted by farmers in their constituencies. A JJP leader has gone so far to state that in order to visit the constituency, the MLAs & MPSs now need to wear iron armours, as people would attack them.

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

Speaker of the assembly, Gian Chand Gupta has asked Bhoopinder Hooda of Congress to read out proposal. Hooda has stated that this is not government of majority but is dependent on JJP.

Moving the no-confidence motion in the Haryana Assembly on Wednesday morning, Leader of Opposition BS Hooda said, “More than 250 farmers have died on the border. I presented their names but I did not find it in the newspaper.”

“This government has lost the trust of the people. The CM is not allowed to land his chopper. Farmers from across the country are protesting. Haryana tried to stop farmers and used water cannons, tear gas against them,” Bhupinder Singh Hooda said in the assembly on Wednesday.

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

Hitting out at the Khattar government, Hooda further added, “Farmers are protesting as the government did not fulfil their poll promises. JJP promised MSP and 10 percent bonus. BJP promised that farmers’ income will be doubled. The production cost of crops is rising & the MSP is not even able to meet the cost of production.”

Chief whips of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the Jananayak Janata Party (JJP) and the Haryana Congress had asked their respective legislators to be present in the House on Wednesday prior to Haryana’s Leader of Opposition BS Hooda moving the no-confidence motion in the Assembly.

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Farmers mark the 100 days of protests with blockade on the western peripheral expressway-measures taken to keep the protests peaceful

farmersprotest

To mark the 100th day of the farmers’ protests on Saturday, the farmers blocked the western peripheral expressway. The protests are going on against the three central farm-laws.

Riding on trolleys, hundreds of farmers reached the Kundli-Manesar-Palwal (KMP) Expressway from the protest site at Singhu with regards to the implementation of blockade. The Gurugram police is on a high alert with regards to the blockade which had been planned from 11am to 4pm. Palwal region saw increased security arrangements in the context of the protests. Farmers on cars, trucks and trolleys are participating in the blockade against the farm-laws, puportedly intended to liberalize the agro-markets in India, but which they say would damage the agriculture sector & the farmers’ sources of livelihoods, by bringing them under the subjugation of the private players.

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

Peaceful protests

Farmers’ organization, Samyukt Kisan Morcha had on Friday requested the protesters to wear black bands and said that the five-hour blockade will be peaceful. The organization had further said that commuters will not be troubled.

Farmer-leaders have stated, “We will keep water for the passers-by”.

Farmers’ groups protesting at the Singhu border planned to arrive at Kundli and block the toll plazas falling on the way.

Besides this, farmers from Ghazipur and Tikri borders had planned to block Dasna and Bahadurgarh toll plaza, respectively while those sitting on the Shahjahanpur border had planned to block the KMP Expressway touching Gurugram-Manesar.

Farmers will also be freeing up the toll plazas from collecting fees.

Rajvir Singh Jadaun, Uttar Pradesh President of the Bharatiya Kisan Union said, “These toll plazas will be blocked in a peaceful manner and passers-by will not be disturbed. We will keep water for the passers-by. They will also be apprised of our issues with the farm laws.”

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

Jadaun had also said that emergency vehicles will not be stopped, whether it is an ambulance, a fire brigade vehicle or foreign tourists. He had also added that military vehicles will also not be stopped. The SKM has urged common people to wave black flags from their homes and offices to show their support for the movement.

People at the Ghazipur border have been told not to take their tractors to the protest area and farmers were asked to reach the site by their own vehicles.

On the occasion of International Women’s Day on March 8, women protesters will lead demonstrations against the farm-laws.

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Crackdown on dissenting people during farmers’ protests is worrisome, said Akal Takht acting Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh

Akal takht

On Thursday, Akal Takht acting Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh said that crackdown on the people dissenting amid the farmers’ stir is worrisome and dangerous.

In a written statement, he said, “The people who have dissenting opinions and do not agree with the government are being detained and arrested in large numbers in the country. The trend is worrisome.”

“Freedom of speech and expression is an important part of democracy and arrests against this freedom are against the ethos of the democracy,” he said.

Also See:  Overview of Unions in the farmers’ protest

The Jathedar further said, “This is very shameful that cases are being registered against those who speak against the government, under serious charges of sedition and Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA). This trend is deadly for democracy. Adopting uncivilized and violent means to stop anyone from exercising freedom of speech and expression is inhuman.”

He also asked those who like democratic ethos to come forward to save the life, ethics, & ethos of democracy. “Keeping silent will lead to suicidal consequences. These consequences will prove to be very dangerous in the coming days,” he said.

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

Giani Harpreet Singh has been a prominent voice of protests against the dubious and discriminating actions of the centre. For example, last year, he had specifically pointed out to GOI that blaming the Sikhs and Muslims for the spread of the Covid19 was not right.

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As the Budget session began in Punjab assembly, chaos triggered over the farm-laws

Punjab-Assembly

Being held in the shadow of the farmers’ protests against the three central farm-laws, the Budget session of the Punjab Assembly was off to a stormy start with the Opposition MLAs protesting over various issues.

AAP legislators on Monday came to the Punjab Vidhan Sabha on bicycles, shouting slogans against the alleged “unfulfilled promises of the Congress government”.

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

Ahead of the start of Governor’s address, Akali Dal MLAs led by Bikram Singh Majithia raised slogans “go back Governor” over the farm Bills.

The Opposition members questioned the Governor for not sending the amendments passed by the Punjab Vidhan Sabha on the farm Bills to the President.

As many as 40 Congress MLAs, including Navjot Singh Sidhu and Pargat Singh, were present in the House, when the chaos began. The Akalis raised slogans as the Governor began his address.

The Akalis stormed the Well of the House, raising slogans against the Governor.

(Tribune)

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Farmers can be anything but anti-national, said Arvind Kejriwal

Farmers can be anything but anti-national, said Arvind Kejriwal

The farmers’ protests at border points of New Delhi have crossed 95th day. Thousands of farmers, especially from Punjab and Haryana, are staging a sit-in protest along Delhi borders. The protest started on November 26, 2020. The farmers are demanding a complete rollback of the new farm reform laws and a guarantee on the Minimum Support Price (MSP) system being retained. Multiple rounds of talks between the Centre and the farmers’ union leaders have ended in a stalemate. Protesting farmers fear that the new laws will dismantle the MSP system and corporatize farming. In this regards, there are also reports that the Biden Administration may impose sanctions under Magnitsky Act of 2012, against the corporate houses of Ambani and Adani, whose associations with BJP are being accused for the human rights violations meted out on the farmers.

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

The Supreme Court had earlier ordered a stay on the implementation of these contentious laws, hoping that it will end the protest. The farm-union leaders have also rejected the Centre’s proposal to suspend implementation of the laws for 18 months. On January 26, the protest turned violent when some farmers deviated from a pre-decided route for their Republic Day tractor rally and clashed with police. Some protesters scaled the ramparts of the Red Fort. Several protestors and police personnel were injured in the ensuing clashes. The farmers’ unions also held a ‘chakka jam’ on February 6 where they blocked national and state highways to protest the internet ban in areas near their agitation sites and harassment allegedly meted out to them by authorities, among other issues.

Kejriwal accused the Centre (GOI) of orchestrating the violence on Republic Day at Red Fort as he once again extended his support to the farmers agitating in the national capital against the three farm laws. “The Centre is behind the Red Fort violence, not the farmers. It misguided the farmers who did not know Delhi roads,” Kejriwal said while addressing a ‘Kisan Mahapanchayat’ in Meerut.

Also Read: The unprecedented protests by farmers: Background, Unions, Loopholes in the laws & role of Charan Singh

The AAP chief added that he is aware of what happened on the day the farmers took out a tractor parade, asserting that he is the chief minister of the Union territory. “The farmers of our country are unhappy. It has been more than 90 days that they have been protesting near Delhi along with their families. More than 250 farmers have died in these three months but the Centre has done nothing about it,” Kejriwal said.

Amid slogans of ‘Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan (Long Live Farmers, Long Live Soldiers)’ and ‘Kala Kanoon Vapas Lo (Repeal The Black Laws)’, the AAP leader said that the protesting farmers faced atrocities which were not meted out even during the British rule. “And now, false cases are being slapped on protesters. Our farmers can be anything but not traitors. However, they have faced sedition charges. One son of the country is defending the country’s borders, the other is at the border of Delhi,” he said.