On Day 25 Of Agitation, Farmers Observe ‘Shradhanjali Diwas’ As They Pay Homage To 'Martyred' Protesters

Farmers are observing 'Shradhanjali Diwas' across the country today to pay homage to those crop growers who had lost their lives during the ongoing agitation.

Image: PTI

New Delhi: Farmers on Sunday held prayer meetings across the country to pay their respects to the protestors who died during the ongoing agitation against the new agricultural laws. The call for the “Shradhanjali Diwas [day of homage]” was given by the Samyukta Kisan Morcha, a joint front of farmer unions. “The farmers and all sections of the people will pay homage to them from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on December 20 by organising condolence meetings, human chain and garlanding the photos of the departed fighters in more than one lakh villages across the country,” said All-India Kisan Sabha in a statement. Farmers from Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Haryana have been protesting near the Haryana-Rajasthan border on the Delhi-Jaipur highway for the past seven days after the Rewari police stopped them from proceeding towards Delhi. Thousands of other farmers have been prevented from entering the national Capital and stopped at its borders with neighbouring states. “Lakhs of farmers are now on the streets surrounding Delhi amid the severe cold. They are braving the cold and other obstacles created by the government, as they are determined to achieve their goal. Their only demand is that the three anti-farmer laws should be revoked,” said a farmers’ leader while addressing a press conference from the protest site at Jaisinghpura-Khera village, near Shahajahanpur in Alwar of Rajasthan. Farmers protesting on the Delhi-Jaipur highway have also made arrangements for buses to ferry farmers in Rajasthan between their homes and protest sites, free of cost. These free bus services will enable more people to join the protests, farmers said.

PM Modi's surprise visit to Rakab Ganj Sahib Gurudwara

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday paid tributes to Guru Tegh Bahadur for his supreme sacrifice as he went to Gurdwara Rakab Ganj Sahib in Delhi in an unscheduled visit. There were no security arrangements or traffic barriers to the common man during the visit. "This morning, I prayed at the historic Gurudwara Rakab Ganj Sahib, where the pious body of Sri Guru Teg Bahadur Ji was cremated. I felt extremely blessed. I, like millions around the world, am deeply inspired by the kindnesses of Sri Guru Teg Bahadur Ji," said PM Modi. There has been no breakthrough between the centre and the farmers as the latter is adamant with their demands to abrogate the newly formed Farm Laws. PM Modi on various occasions and during his radio programme clarified the benefits of the laws and even accused opposition of spreading misinformation but the farmers have refused to budge as their protest entered day 25 on Sunday.