Farmer Protest: Farmers’ representatives declared on Friday that a decision will be made on February 29 regarding their ‘Delhi Chalo‘ march. Leading the protests, the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM) presented a schedule of events for the following week. Until then, the farmers at Shambhu and Khanauri, two protest locations on the Punjab-Haryana border, are adamant about holding their stand.
Farmers’ Forum Plans Educational Lectures
There will be a candle march today, and lectures on topics pertaining to farmers tomorrow. The demonstrators plan to set fire to ministers’ and the World Trade Organization’s (WTO) effigies on February 26. Furthermore, the next two days are scheduled for many gatherings of the Samyukta Kisan Morcha and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha forums.
Core Demands Driving the Farmers’ Agitation
The cornerstones of the agitation continue to be the requests made by the farmers who are protesting: a farm debt forgiveness, the execution of the Swaminathan Commission’s recommendations, and a legal guarantee on the minimum support price (MSP).
The farmers postponed their march for two days after skirmishes at Khanauri on Wednesday resulted in the death of a protester and the injuries of twelve police officers. The fight claimed the life of Bathinda native Shubhkaran Singh, 21. The leaders of the farming community voiced their complaints to the Punjab government about the filing of a false police report in connection with Singh’s demise. They further stated that the cremation would not take place until their requests were fulfilled.
Farmers Point Finger at Haryana Security for Tragedy
The demonstrators blamed security officers from Haryana for Singh’s death, and the situation worsened when the farmers accused the Punjab Police of being reluctant to register a formal complaint against them. The farmers are calling for Singh to be declared a “martyr” in addition to justice.
Chief Minister of Punjab Bhagwant Mann responded by offering Singh’s sister a government position and ₹ 1 million in compensation. The demonstrators, however, were not placated by this action and insisted on filing a formal complaint against the individuals accountable for the young farmer’s demise.
Sitharaman Announces Ministerial Committee Amid Farmer Loss
The protesting farmer, Darshan Singh, 62, of Bathinda’s Amargarh village, died near the Khanauri border following a heart attack. He became the fourth farmer to die in the ongoing protests, according to the farmer leaders.
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced on Friday that the Centre has established a three-person ministerial committee to hold talks with the farmers in the middle of these developments. Sitharaman emphasised Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ongoing efforts in this area and emphasised the government’s commitment to the welfare of farmers.
“I can provide a series of lists of all that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has done for the farmers. From increasing their income to assisting with the smallest of expenses, PM Modi has taken every step for the welfare of the farmers. He works for even the small farmers,” Sitharaman said.
Tikait’s Call for Communication
Rakesh Tikait, the leader of the Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU), stated that communication is necessary to find a solution. Tikait, a well-known member of the farmers’ movement, emphasised the crucial part that those who live in forested areas play in preserving the environment.
“People living in the forests protect the environment. From Bihar to Andhra Pradesh, which is a forest area, Adivasis worship the ‘Jungle’. No army and farmers are standing face to face. We have people in the army also who comes from a farming background. There should be a solution through dialogue. Continuous talks are going on with the Centre,” he said.
