Kisan Andolan 2.0: Farmers to renew Delhi protest on Dec 14 amid rising tensions
HARISH MONGA
Ferozepur, December 10, 2024: Farmers from Punjab and Haryana are set to resume their march towards Delhi on December 14, intensifying their demands for a Minimum Support Price (MSP) Guarantee Law. The decision follows weeks of protest at the Punjab-Haryana border, led by prominent farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher of the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM).
Sarwan Singh Pandher Said, Today, the protest has entered its 303rd day and it is the 13th day of fast unto death by Dallewal. There is no intimation from the government to proceed with dialogue. We have decided to send a jatha on December 14 and the entire responsibility for any consequences will be of the Modi government.
Pandher announced that a 101-member jatha (group) would leave for Delhi on December 14, marking a critical escalation in what is being dubbed as Kisan Andolan 2.0. He also declared December 11 as Prarthana Divas (Prayer Day) to highlight the plight of farmers. Lamenting the government’s silence, he criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi for not addressing farmers’ issues during his recent visit to Haryana.
The deteriorating health of farm leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal, who has been on a hunger strike for 15 days at Khanauri, has raised serious concerns. Dallewal has reportedly fallen unconscious, further highlighting the urgency of the farmers’ demands.
Farmers argue that an MSP Guarantee Law is essential, as only a small fraction of crops currently benefit from MSP. With no indication from the government of initiating dialogue, the farmers are determined to take their grievances to the nation’s capital once again.
Added here, the protest site at Shambhu witnessed dramatic scenes earlier this month when paramilitary forces and Haryana Police used tear gas to disperse farmers attempting to march towards Delhi on December 6 and December 8. Over two dozen farmers sustained injuries during the confrontations. Despite these setbacks, the farmers conducted a cleanliness drive at the site on Tuesday, signalling their resolve to continue the agitation peacefully.
Pandher also wishes the best for the health of Dallewal and injured farmers during the protest and prays for them at all religious places.
He said, the PM has visited Haryana and Rajasthan but he has not uttered a single word about the farmers. Instead, the protesting farmers were arrested.
Pandher also appealed to Punjabi singers and religious leaders to lend their voices to the farmers’ cause with a Kisan Andolan Ki Jai.
Meanwhile, Punjab Assembly Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan, during a visit to Patiala, criticized the Centre for its lack of engagement with the farmers. He called for immediate talks, particularly in light of Dallewal’s worsening condition.