Farmers Andolan-2: On 293rd Day, Delhi March announced
HARISH MONGA
Chandigarh/Ferozepur, December 1, 2024: The 293rd day of the Farmers’ Protest 2 witnessed a joint press conference by the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha and Sanyukt Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) at Kisan Bhavan, Chandigarh. Addressing the media, farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher detailed the "Marjiwade Jatha" march, set to begin from the Shambhu border to Delhi on December 6. He emphasised that the march will proceed peacefully with participants carrying only essential items.
Earlier, after the release from Ludhiana hospital, Sanyukt Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal resumed his fast unto death at the farm protest site in Khanauri, falling on the Sangrur-Jind border of Punjab and Haryana on Saturday. At the same time, farmer leader Sukhjit Singh broke his fast by having a glass of juice from Dallewal.
Highlighting the leadership of the march, Pandher stated that it would be headed by prominent leaders such as Satnam Singh Pannu, Sawinder Singh Chatala, Surjit Singh Phool, and Baljinder Singh Chadiyala before reaching Delhi. He also mentioned statements by Haryana's Agriculture Minister and MP Ravneet Bittu, assuring that the march will not be obstructed. However, any hindrance would be viewed as a deliberate attempt to disrupt Punjab and Haryana's economy and cause public distress.
Pandher criticized the current parliamentary session, claiming that neither the ruling BJP nor opposition MPs are addressing the farmers' and labourers' demands. He pointed out the dire situation of farmers enduring cold weather and hunger strikes, preparing for a mass migration to Delhi.
The march will cover four initial phases -Ambala's Jaggi City Centre, Mohra (Ambala), Khanpur Jatta Tiora Theh, and Pipli.
Participants will march daily from 9 AM to 5 PM, spending cold nights on the streets. Pandher urged the public and Haryana’s community to assist in arrangements for the marchers' stay.
Manjit Singh Rai, another farmer leader, declared that participants would embark on this journey with "kafan" (shrouds) tied to their heads, prepared to face any oppression with patience and resolve. He appealed to the people of Punjab and Haryana to support the cause.
Farmer leader Guramneet Singh Mangat revealed that farmer organizations from Tamil Nadu, Uttarakhand, and Kerala would march peacefully towards their respective state assemblies on December 6. He encouraged those willing to join the "Marjiwade Jathas" to register through social media platforms after 3 PM tomorrow.
On environmental issues, the leaders extended full support to the Buddha Nala Front and demanded the immediate closure of factories releasing polluted water under NGT directives. Rajasthan farmer leader Ranjit Singh Raju highlighted the nationwide participation in the protest, stressing that 14 districts in Rajasthan are grappling with cancer risks due to polluted water.
The leaders appealed to farmers across Punjab and the country to gather at the Shambhu Border on December 6 in large numbers. Present at the event were leaders including Balwant Singh Behramke, Jaswinder Singh Longowal, Tejvir Singh Panjokhra Sahib, Sukhdev Singh Bhojraj, Ranjit Singh Raju, and others.