Farmers' Protest: SKM To Observe 'Black' Friday, Hold Tractor Rallies On Feb 26, Mahapanchayat In March

The 'mahapanchayat' is set for March 14 with the organisation of the All India Kisan Mazdoor Mahapanchayat at Ramlila Maidan in Delhi, where a turnout of over a lakh people is anticipated, Saha said. 

File Photo: Police put up barricades on a road near Ghazipur border in view of farmers' protests, in Ghaziabad.

Source : PTI Images

Farmer leader Avik Saha on Thursday announced a series of all-India mega programs aimed at garnering widespread support.

The leader announced that they are going to observe 'Black Day' or 'Aakrosh Diwas' on February 23. Following this, on February 26, a nationwide 'tractor pradarshan' (demonstration) will take place, urging the government to withdraw from the WTO.

The 'mahapanchayat' is set for March 14 with the organisation of the All India Kisan Mazdoor Mahapanchayat at Ramlila Maidan in Delhi, where a turnout of over a lakh people is anticipated, Saha said. 

“Starting from tomorrow, we are launching all-India mega programs. The first programme is Black Day or Aakrosh Diwas on February 23. On February 26, all over the country, there will be a ‘tractor pradarshan’ (demonstration) where we will ask the government to quit WTO. On March 14, All India Kisan Mazdoor Mahapanchayat will be organised at Ramlila Maidan in Delhi. We expect more than a lakh people to join," farmer leader Avik Saha said.

VIDEO | Here’s what farmer leader Avik Saha (@aviksahaindia) said after the meeting between SKM National Coordination Committee and General Body in Chandigarh earlier today.

“Starting from tomorrow, we are launching all-India mega programmes. First programme is Black Day or… pic.twitter.com/EhjSWQrc5J

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) February 22, 2024

Earlier in the day, the farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher demanded that a murder case be filed against those responsible for the death of a protesting farmer at the Punjab-Haryana border crossing in Khanauri. In protest of the farmer's death at the Khanauri border, farmer leaders have called for black flags to be displayed on homes and vehicles.

Farmer leaders halted the march for two days on Wednesday after a protester was killed and approximately 12 police officers were injured in clashes at Khanauri.

The farmer who died was identified as Shubhkaran Singh (21), a resident of Ballo village in Punjab's Bathinda district.

Police fired tear gas shells multiple times at the two border points to disperse protesters who attempted to approach the layers of barricades impeding their march to the national capital.

Thousands of farmers are camped at Khanauri and Shambhu, bringing their tractor-trolleys and trucks.

Farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher stated on Wednesday that they will decide on the next course of action on Friday evening.

Punjab farmers are also demanding the implementation of the Swaminathan Commission's recommendations, a pension for farmers and farm labourers, no increase in electricity tariffs, the withdrawal of police cases and "justice" for the victims of the 2021 Lakhimpur Kheri violence in Uttar Pradesh, the reinstatement of the Land Acquisition Act of 2013, and compensation for the families of farmers who died during the 2020-21 agitation against the three farm laws.