Farmers to hold Tractor March on Jan 26, escalate protests with upcoming rallies
To showcase the farmers' strength before formal talks scheduled for Feb 14
Ferozepur (Shambhu), January 25, 2025:In a series of planned protests, farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher has outlined upcoming tractor marches and rallies to advocate for farmers' demands, including a legal guarantee for Minimum Support Price (MSP) and a comprehensive farm debt waiver.
On Republic Day, farmers will conduct a tractor march from 12 PM to 1:30 PM. Participants plan to park their tractors outside shopping malls, silos, and offices of BJP leaders, including MPs and MLAs, for 1.5 hours. Pandher emphasized that roads will not be blocked during this demonstration.
He said, On January 29, farmers will assemble with their tractors at Beas.The following morning, January 30, they will march towards the Shambhu border to mark the first anniversary of their ongoing protest at this location.
The entire program aims to address key issues, including the establishment of a National Policy Framework on Agriculture Marketing (NPFAM), a legal guarantee for Minimum Support Price (MSP), and a comprehensive farm debt waiver.
Sarwan Singh Pandher strongly condemned the inclusion of Section 307 in cases registered against farmers following the January 5 incident in Ferozepur, demanding the immediate withdrawal of these charges. He also voiced concerns over the recent summoning of farmers in stubble-burning cases, urging the government to refrain from such anti-farmer actions. Pandher emphasized that if the government truly stands with farmers, it should adopt a supportive approach rather than pursuing measures that undermine their interests.
TThe Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) has scheduled sit-ins outside the homes of Members of Parliament on February 8 and 9 to further press their demands. A subsequent unit meeting is planned for February 12.
Meanwhle, the farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal has been on an indefinite hunger strike since November 26, 2024, demanding a legal guarantee for MSP and addressing other farmer-related issues. After 54 days of consuming only water, he has recently accepted medical aid but continues his fast. His health is reported to be gradually improving.
These coordinated efforts aim to showcase the farmers' strength and resolve, urging the government to address their 12-point charter of demands before formal talks scheduled for February 14.