Farmer’s Protest: Modi government recently announced to give Bharat Ratna to Chaudhary Charan Singh and MS Swaminathan, who are called the messiahs of farmers. But perhaps this move of the government failed, because the farmer unions are once again adamant on agitating against the Modi government. The farmers ended the movement in November 2021, but after two years they are on the roads again.
United Kisan Morcha has announced a march to Delhi on 13 February. Farmer unions have given the slogan of ‘Dilli Chalo’. There is speculation that lakhs of farmers from Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh will march towards Delhi on Tuesday.
At the same time, United Kisan Morcha has also called for Gramin Bharat Bandh for one day on 16th February.
Why are farmers marching to Delhi again?
This is not the first time that farmers are agitating. Two years ago, there was a historic movement of farmers on the borders of Delhi, when the Modi government had to surrender before the farmers and repeal the three agricultural laws passed by the Parliament.
Farmers feared that these laws could eliminate the Minimum Support Price (MSP) and hand over farming to corporate companies. However, farmers had to make huge sacrifices regarding agricultural laws. Farmers continued protesting for almost a year. Farmers claim that more than 700 farmers died during this movement, however, these claims did not get importance at the government and non-government level.
Two years ago, the government not only repealed the laws but also promised to give guarantee on MSP. After this the farmers withdrew the movement. But now farmers say that the government has not fulfilled its promises regarding MSP.
What is the demand of farmers?
Like the 2021 movement, this time too farmers are coming out to protest for their many demands. In particular, protests have been announced to demand a law to guarantee the Minimum Support Price (MSP). Making a law for minimum support price is their biggest demand.
United Kisan Morcha says that they just want to remind the Central Government of the promises made two years ago by appealing to the farmers to withdraw the movement. Those promises have not been fulfilled yet. The government had promised guarantee on MSP. It was said that the cases registered against the farmers would be withdrawn.
In 2021, four Sikh farmers protesting against agricultural laws in Lakhimpuri Kheri were allegedly crushed by the car of Minister of State for Home Ajay Mishra Teni. The farmers are demanding from the government to provide jobs to the families of those killed in that incident and punishment to the culprits.
Samyukta Kisan Morcha said, “The biggest promise made by the government was to give crop prices to the farmers as per the recommendations of the Swaminathan Commission. The government honored M S Swaminathan with Bharat Ratna but is not implementing his report. Apart from this, a promise was made to keep the farmers free from pollution laws, but none of the promises were fulfilled.”
Let us tell you, in the Swaminathan Commission report, it has been recommended to pay farmers one and a half times the cost of their crops.
Allegations of farmers marching to Delhi
A protesting farmer of Mazdoor Morcha said on Twitter, ‘Farmers’ tractor march has started. Thousands of farmers are reaching Delhi. We are not creating any traffic jam on the way. The march to Delhi is being carried out with complete discipline. MSP is an important issue. The government has sealed the borders. Constant arrests are being made. Our views are not being heard. Workers are the biggest strength of this country. We have full experience in breaking barricades. The government is stopping and harassing the people.
The protesting farmers allege that the farmers from Karnataka who were coming to join the Delhi march were arrested after stopping the train in Bhopal. Accused of assaulting him. Due to this, a farmer also suffered serious head injury.
What arrangements will be made on the border to stop the farmers?
In view of the farmers’ ‘Delhi Chalo’ march, security has been tightened on the borders of the capital Delhi. UP, Haryana and Delhi police are on alert. In order to stop the march, all the borders including Singhu and Ghazipur have been sealed. The border with Punjab was sealed at Shambhu near Ambala.
In view of the protests, contingents of police and central forces have been deployed on all border roads. About 5 thousand security personnel have been deployed. Whereas preparations are being made to block the path of farmers by erecting barbed and sharp wires. CCTV and loudspeakers have also been installed.
Eight layer walls have been erected on the Delhi-Haryana border. Large stone barricades and iron containers have been installed on some roads. There are also arrangements for water cannon to control the crowd of farmers. Also, every activity on social media is being monitored.
Those violating the law will be arrested
In the order issued by Delhi Police Commissioner Sanjay Arora, it has been said that there is a ban on the entry of tractors in the capital Delhi. There is a ban on possessing temporary weapons like guns, inflammable substances, bricks, stones. There is also a ban on collecting petrol and soda bottles. Apart from this, use of loud speakers is prohibited for the next one month.
To maintain law and order in the capital, Section 144 has been imposed in entire Delhi till March 12. There is a ban on gathering any kind of crowd. Orders have been given for immediate arrest of those who violate Section 144. No one is allowed to violate the law.
At the same time, Haryana administration has converted Chaudhary Dalbir Singh Indoor Stadium and Guru Gobind Singh Stadium of Sirsa into temporary jails. Farmers creating nuisance can be arrested and kept in these temporary jails.
Traffic advisory of Delhi Police
Delhi Police has issued traffic advisory for all the borders of the capital. Entry of heavy vehicles into Delhi has been banned. Also, it has been advised to use light vehicles to travel to Delhi from nearby local borders instead of the main border.
Internet shut down in 7 districts of Haryana:
Internet and SMS services were shut down in 7 districts of Haryana two days before the farmers’ march to Delhi. It has been decided to shut down internet services for three days in Ambala, Kurukshetra, Kaithal, Jind, Hisar, Fatehabad and Sirsa districts of Haryana.
Politics on farmers’ Delhi march
Farmers are getting support from the opposition on the call of Delhi march. The opposition is accusing the government of stopping Annadata. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has accused the Modi government of cheating the farmers. He wrote on social media, ‘Modi, who has been cultivating lies day and night for 10 years, has only cheated the farmers. By promising double the income, Modi has made the farmers yearn for MSP.
Rahul Gandhi further said, ‘Farmers are buried under inflation. Due to not getting the right price for their crops, their debts increased by 60 percent. The result was that about 30 farmers lost their lives every day. One whose USP is to cheat can only do politics with the farmers in the name of MSP, not justice. Those who lay nails in the path of farmers are not worthy of trust.
On the farmers’ march to Delhi, Haryana Home Minister Anil Vij has said that he will do anything to protect the people of the state and maintain peace. He also said that big issues can be solved through talks, this will also be solved.
