Farmers Seek Peaceful March Towards Delhi

The General Secretary of Punjab Kisan Mazdoor Committee, Sarwan Singh Pandher, made a plea to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government on Wednesday, urging them to engage in discussions with farmers or allow them to proceed peacefully to Delhi for protest.

“We believe it is also the Prime Minister’s responsibility, as we have also contributed our votes to elect him as the PM of the country. This nation belongs to everyone, and the PM represents all. He should step forward to address the situation and meet our demands,” stated Sarwan Singh Pandher during a joint press conference with other farmer leaders at the Shambhu border.

“We have made earnest efforts, attended meetings, and thoroughly discussed every point. Now, it is the Centre’s decision to make. The Prime Minister should step up and fulfill our demands. Rs 1.5-2 lakh crore is not an exorbitant amount… around 60 per cent of farmers depend on this. When including farm laborers, it constitutes 80 per cent of the country’s population. Our primary endeavor is to maintain peace,” he added.

Pandher urged the Prime Minister to resolve the ‘stalemate’ and allow farmers to protest democratically. “Or, if the Center feels hesitant to accept the demand, then we suggest, Prime Minister, it is your responsibility to uphold the Constitution. You safeguard the Constitution, please open the gate and permit us to travel to Delhi for peaceful protest. This will also resolve the deadlock for farmers and laborers,” asserted the farmer leader.

He further implored the Prime Minister to make a decision regarding the MSP guarantee law and pacify the situation. “We humbly request the Central Government to engage with us, sit down, and address our concerns. All our demands have been meticulously discussed. Now is the time for a decision. If the Head of State of the Central Government steps forward and declares readiness to enact the MSP Guarantee Law, progress can be made and the situation pacified,” he emphasized.

The farmer leader criticized the government’s use of paramilitary forces to handle the protest. “While we pledge to remain peaceful, we observe the deployment of paramilitary forces by the government, potentially celebrating Holi with the blood of farmers and laborers,” Pandher expressed.

“There are soldiers on one side and farmers on the other; they are also part of our families. We do not wish for any situation to arise that portrays distressing images to the country. Hence, we will not initiate any aggression from our side; we will maintain peace. The ball is now in the Centre’s court, awaiting their decision for the future,” he added.

During the press conference, farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal highlighted that the central government’s complaint about inadequate time is unjustified. The protest call was made in November last year, and he accused the government of neglecting farmers.

“Our intention is not to incite unrest or create issues, but we have planned to march to Delhi. This plan was made not today but on November 7 last year when we announced the protest. From then till now, if the government claims it lacks time, then it seems to be a deliberate policy of neglect,” Dallewal remarked.

“A decision in favor of farmers and laborers is imperative. The farmers of our country have contributed to making the nation self-sufficient, working tirelessly day and night. Around 7 lakh farmers have tragically died by suicide to date. Despite these circumstances, instead of engaging with farmers, the government opts to set up massive barricades to impede their progress. This approach is not appropriate,” he continued.

Dallewal urged the government to dismantle the barricades and permit farmers to proceed to Delhi. “Our intention is to march peacefully to Delhi. The government should remove the barricades and allow us to proceed, making necessary arrangements for our stay there. We have no qualms,” he insisted.

“If the government desires, it should accept our demands. The Prime Minister of our country, our government in Delhi that makes major decisions for our nation and its people, should now declare readiness to enact a law guaranteeing the purchase of farmers’ crops,” Dallewal concluded.

He reiterated that farmers are composed and will remain so. “We are calm, there is no need to remind farmers to stay calm; we are already peaceful,” Dallewal affirmed.

The march, initially halted, resumed on Wednesday morning. The farmers have raised several demands, including an ordinance to legally ensure MSPs and loan waivers.

The two sides – government ministers and farmer leaders – previously met on February 8, 12, 15, 18, and 19, but discussions remained inconclusive.