The government was informed by farmer leaders on Monday that they will proceed with their march to Delhi on Wednesday (February 21). This decision came after they rejected the government’s proposal to procure pulses, maize, and cotton at MSP by government agencies for a period of five years. The protesting farmers have been stationed at Shambhu and Khanauri points on Punjab’s border with Haryana, persistently urging the Centre to address their various demands.
In addition to a legal assurance on MSP, the farmers are advocating for the implementation of the Swaminathan Commission’s recommendations, pension for farmers and farm laborers, forgiveness of farm debts, no increase in electricity tariffs, withdrawal of police cases, and “justice” for the victims of the 2021 Lakhimpur Kheri violence. They are also calling for the reinstatement of the Land Acquisition Act, 2013, and compensation for the families of farmers who lost their lives during a previous agitation in 2020-21.
FARMERS’ PROTEST: THE LATEST
The leaders of the ‘Delhi Chalo’ agitation, who are farmers, have declined the government’s proposition of government agencies procuring pulses, maize, and cotton at the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for a duration of five years. They argue that this proposal does not serve the best interests of the farmers.
During the fourth round of discussions with the farmer leaders, a panel consisting of three Union ministers suggested that the government agencies should purchase pulses, maize, and cotton crops at minimum support prices for a period of five years, subject to an agreement with the farmers.
However, the farmers have rejected this proposal and have declared their intention to march towards Delhi on Wednesday. Sarwan Singh Pandher, the leader of Kisan Mazdoor Morcha, urged the government to either address their concerns or remove the barricades and allow them to peacefully protest in Delhi. He made this statement to reporters at the Shambhu point, which marks the border between Punjab and Haryana.
On Tuesday, the former Chief Minister of Punjab revealed that he had a “comprehensive meeting” with Prime Minister Narendra Modi to discuss various issues pertaining to Punjab, including those concerning the farmers.
The previous Friday, Haryana Police utilized tear gas shells to disperse protesting farmers who were advancing towards the barricades at the Shambhu border near Ambala. There were also clashes between the farmers and police personnel during the initial two days of the protest. The Samyukt Kisan Morcha Haryana demanded the release of detained farmers and the restoration of mobile internet services in seven districts of the state following the farmers’ ‘Delhi Chalo’ call.
Regarding the farmers’ protest, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal on Monday appealed to the Punjab government to make decisions in the farmers’ best interests.