After weeks of anticipation, farmers from Punjab are set to hold a significant Mahapanchayat in Delhi today, furthering their protest against the policies of the Modi government. This event, organized by the Samyukt Kisan Morcha, will witness a foot march from Uchana to Jind before culminating in the Mahapanchayat at Ramlila Maidan. The primary objective of this gathering is to exhibit strength and solidarity against the government’s measures.
The Mahapanchayat will feature the adoption of a Sankalp Patra or Letter of Resolution, aimed at escalating the resistance against what farmers perceive as pro-corporate, communal, and authoritarian policies of the Modi administration. The focal points of their demands include the enactment of a law guaranteeing the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for crops and the complete waiver of loans for all farmers.
Preparations for this event have been underway with fervor, as emphasized by the Samyukt Kisan Morcha, ensuring extensive participation to make the gathering politically impactful and successful. Notably, activists from 13 districts across all three regions have embarked on trains to reach Delhi, where they will find accommodation in various gurdwaras.
#WATCH | Farmers gather at Delhi’s Ramlila Maidan to hold ‘Kisan Mahapanchayat’ to press for their demands including MSP law pic.twitter.com/fmDB2iG0Gv
— ANI (@ANI) March 14, 2024
The Samyukta Kisan Morcha, representing 37 farm unions, had initially called for this Mahapanchayat on February 22 during a meeting in Chandigarh. Following due process, they obtained a no-objection certificate for the event from the Delhi Police and municipal corporation on March 11.
In the lead-up to today’s demonstration, farmers have been encamped at multiple points along Delhi’s borders since February 13, accompanied by their tractors, mini-vans, and pickup trucks. Their demands echo the need for a law ensuring MSP and the withdrawal of police cases against protesters from earlier demonstrations.
The previous round of talks with the government, which concluded on February 18, saw an offer to procure five crops—moong dal, urad dal, tur dal, maize, and cotton—at MSP for five years through central agencies. However, this proposition was met with rejection by the protesting farmers, who opted to continue their agitation.
As the farmers converge on Delhi, the Delhi Police have issued advisories regarding potential traffic disruptions in various parts of the city and its surrounding areas. Despite challenges and obstacles faced along the way, the determination of these farmers remains steadfast, fueled by their unwavering commitment to securing their rights and livelihoods.
