New Delhi: Farmer leaders Sarwan Singh Pandher and Jagjit Singh Dallewal on Sunday, issued a call to farmers nationwide, urging them to reach to Delhi on March 6. Additionally, they announced a four-hour 'rail roko' agitation across the country on March 10 in solidarity with their various demands.
The leaders emphasized the intensification of ongoing protests at existing agitation sites until their demands are met by the government. They were speaking from Bathinda district's Balloh village, the native village of a farmer who died recently during clashes with the Haryana security personnel in Khanauri.
According to news agency PTI, the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM) is leading the 'Delhi Chalo' march, with farmers rallying to compel the government to address their demands, including a legal guarantee of the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for crops.
Both the forums decided that while farmers from Punjab and Haryana will persist in their support at the ongoing agitation sites in Shambhu and Khanauri, farmers and laborers from other states will converge on Delhi for a protest on March 6.
"The farmers from far away states, who cannot reach on tractor trolleys, should head to Delhi by trains and by other means of transport", PTI quoted Pandher as saying. "It will also become clear whether the government allows those farmers to enter (Delhi) who go without tractor trolleys", Pandher added.
Farmer leader said, "At Shambhu and Khanauri, the agitation will continue like before and will be escalated further." He stated that the two forums have decided to expand this agitation nationwide, calling upon farmers and laborers across the country to participate in a 'rail roko' protest scheduled from 12 pm to 4 pm on March 10.
Pandher Accused The BJP Of Playing Divisive Politics To Win Elections
Pandher said that all Punjab panchayats should pass a resolution in support of the farmers' demands and from every village a tractor trolley reaches the protest border points. He criticized the unprecedented use of drones by the Haryana Police, stating that such tactics had not been employed previously in the farmers' agitation. He highlighted the intensified barricading by Haryana authorities at Shambhu and Khanauri, likening the situation to the Punjab-Haryana international border, as per PTI.
Pandher refuted the Centre's attempt to portray the ongoing agitation as confined to Punjab and led by only two forums. He emphasized that over 200 outfits across the country are actively involved in the movement, underscoring its widespread support and representation. Pandher alleged that the Centre is reluctant to address the farmers' issues and accused the BJP of engaging in divisive politics to gain electoral advantage.
Sarwan Singh Pandher accused the government of neglecting the concerns of farmers and farm laborers, asserting that their fight will persist despite attempts to sideline them. He dismissed the notion that the agitation might wane once the Model Code of Conduct for elections is enforced, emphasizing their unwavering commitment to the cause. Pandher reiterated the demand for India to withdraw from the WTO agreement, indicating a broader perspective on trade policies that impact farmers' livelihoods.
We Will Have To Fight Till Our Last Breath, Says Jagjit Singh Dallewal
"We will have to fight till our last breath and we will fight till demands are met", Jagjit Singh Dallewal said. He questioned the notion that the agitation is confined solely to Punjab, pointing out the imposition of a curfew-like situation on the borders of Haryana. Meanwhile, during the event, several resolutions were passed, including calls for filing FIRs against officials who ordered the use of rubber bullets and other coercive actions against the protesting farmers, as per PTI.
Talking to reporters later, Dallewal said, "I want to clarify that our programme of Delhi Chalo stands. We will continue to protest in a peaceful manner. We will increase numbers on the borders where we are agitating", he remarked as per PTI.
In response to a question, Dallewal clarified that while the Centre has not extended invitations for fresh talks, they have consistently expressed willingness to engage in dialogue whenever the government initiates discussions. He emphasized that the sacrifice of Shubhakaran Singh, a farmer who lost his life during the protests, will not be forgotten, and the struggle will persist until their demands are addressed.
When asked about the upcoming 'Kisan Mahapanchayat' in Delhi on March 14, organized by the Samyukta Kisan Morcha, Pandher affirmed that every group has the right to protest and advocate for their demands.
The protesting farmers have been staying put at the Shambhu and Khanauri border points between Punjab and Haryana after their Delhi Chalo march was stopped by the security forces. Their march, which commenced on February 13 with the intention of reaching Delhi, was halted by security personnel, resulting in clashes at the Shambhu and Khanauri border points along the Haryana-Punjab border