Farmers' Protest: Centre Gets Seven-Day Ultimatum To Fulfil Demands

On Monday, thousands of protesting farmers issued a seven-day ultimatum for their demands to be met, threatening to intensify the agitation.

On Monday, December 2, 2024, thousands of farmers from Uttar Pradesh were seen struggling to enter Delhi as part of a protest march called by the Samyukt Kisan Morcha. In anticipation of the protest, all border areas connecting Noida to Delhi had to be heavily fortified, with over 5,000 personnel from the police and paramilitary forces deployed to prevent the protesting farmers from advancing.

Authorities set up barricades and conducted thorough vehicle checks, causing significant disruption to traffic. The Noida-Greater Noida Expressway remained closed for hours and was reopened only around 4 PM, following the removal of barricades. Massive traffic jams were reported on all routes leading from Noida to Delhi.  

The Farmers later briefly paused their march, issuing an ultimatum, warning that if their demands were not addressed within seven days, they would intensify their protests with a larger march to Delhi. However, SKM — an umbrella organisation of 12 farmers' bodies — said it would continue its sit-in protest till its demands were met.  

Farmers' Demands

Farmer leaders have claimed that the administration sought seven days to address their concerns. During this time, they have decided to partially continue their sit-in protest at the Dalit Prerna Sthal in Noida.  

Despite a meeting between farmer representatives and senior officials from the Yamuna Authority, police, and district administration at the Yamuna Authority office on Sunday, no resolution could be agreed upon. The farmers said their demands remain unfulfilled, leaving the administration with the ball in their court.  

What Are Farmers Demanding?

The farmers' primary demands revolve around compensation and land allocation. They are seeking:

1. Better Compensation: A 64.7% increase in compensation and allocation of 10% of plots under the old land acquisition law.  
2. 'Fair' Valuation For Land Acquired After 2014: Four times the market value and 20% of the acquired plots for land acquisitions after January 1, 2014.  
3. Minimum Support Price (MSP) Guarantee: Legal assurance for MSP on crops.
4. Loan Waivers and Pension: Debt relief and pension schemes for farmers.  
5. 'Justice': Withdrawal of police cases registered during earlier protests and justice for victims of the 2021 Lakhimpur Kheri violence.