New Delhi: Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge expressed his full support for the farmers protesting for Minimum Support Price (MSP) on Wednesday, urging the government to address their "legitimate demands". He asserted that Congress would even include the legal guarantee on MSP in its manifesto for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, stating, "We stand behind the farmers. We openly advocate for the fulfillment of their reasonable demands. Our election manifesto will also include a pledge to provide a legal guarantee. While it might not be feasible to cover all crops, essential crops should definitely be included, ensuring Minimum Support Price (MSP) protection."
Tear Gas Shells Fired At Protesting Farmers Ahead of Delhi Chalo March
According to PTI, the Haryana Police on Wednesday used tear gas shells to scatter farmers from Punjab at Shambhu and Khanauri border points as they attempted to advance past barricades, halting their protest march towards Delhi. The farmers, demanding a legal guarantee for the minimum support price (MSP) of their crops, had declared their intention to recommence their protest at 11 am Wednesday, following the failure of their fourth round of talks with the government to address the issue. When some of them endeavored to approach the multiple layers of barricades at Shambhu, near Ambala in Haryana, the police dispersed them with tear gas. A drone was also spotted over the protest site in Shambhu.
At Khanauri on the Punjab-Haryana border, a situation akin to Shambhu unfolded, with the Haryana Police resorting to multiple rounds of tear gas to disperse advancing farmers towards the barricades. This action created chaos as farmers sought refuge amidst the smoke near the Khanauri border. Many protesters were seen wearing masks and protective glasses to shield themselves from the gas. Farmer leaders have asked farmers to maintain calm and peace at the border points, reported PTI.
The standoff ensued after thousands of farmers, commencing their march towards Delhi on February 13, faced obstruction at the Haryana border, resulting in clashes with security forces.
The farmers have been camping at the Shambhu and Khanauri points on Punjab's border with Haryana since then. The Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha are spearheading the 'Delhi Chalo' march to press the government to accept their demands, including a legal guarantee of MSP for crops and a farm loan waiver, reported PTI.
Delhi Chalo March follows the rejection by farmer leaders participating in the "Delhi Chalo" protest of the Centre's proposal to purchase pulses, maize, and cotton at the MSP through government agencies for a five-year duration, citing it as detrimental to farmers' interests.