Ahead of the planned ‘Delhi Chalo’ march by farmers on February 21, farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher criticized the government, alleging that it is preventing farmers from entering Delhi and insisting that farmers should be allowed to proceed with their march on Wednesday.
“The government’s intention was crystal clear; they were determined not to permit our entry into Delhi under any circumstances… If the government is unwilling to seek a resolution through dialogue with farmers, then we should be permitted to march towards Delhi… As we approached Delhi, there was shelling… Bullets were even fired at the tractors’ tires… The Haryana DGP claimed they were not using tear gas on farmers… If that’s true, those responsible should face consequences… Misleading statements are being issued… The situation in Haryana resembles that of Kashmir. We will march towards Delhi on Feb 21. The government has presented us with a proposal aimed at diverting us from our original demands. The government will bear responsibility for any ensuing events,” stated farmer leader Sarwan Singh.
Following the government’s proposal to procure crops at Minimum Support Price (MSP), farmers rejected it on Monday evening, asserting it offered no benefits to them.
Speaking at a press briefing, farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal declared the forums’ rejection of the proposal after deliberation. “Upon scrutiny, the government’s proposal lacks substance. Our government spends Rs 1.75 crore on importing palm oil, which adversely affects public health. If this amount were allocated to farmers for cultivating oilseed crops and MSPs were guaranteed, it could be utilized domestically. This proposal does not serve the interests of farmers. We reject it,” he asserted.
“If the government refuses to provide a legal guarantee for MSPs, it implies that the country’s farmers will continue to be exploited. This is unacceptable,” he added.
After the fourth round of discussions, General Secretary of Punjab Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee Sarvan Singh Pandher affirmed that farmers would press forward with the ‘Delhi Chalo’ march on February 21, while also engaging in talks regarding the government’s MSP proposal.
Furthermore, the farmers will proceed with their ‘Dilli Chalo’ march on February 21.
Earlier, Jagjit Singh Dallewal mentioned, “During the fourth round of talks with the government, we extensively deliberated on our (farmers’) demands. The government has presented us with a proposal guaranteeing MSPs for pulses, maize, and cotton, to be supervised by two government agencies,” remarked SKM (Non-Political) leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal following the conclusion of the meeting between protesting farmer unions and Union Ministers in Chandigarh.
Farmer leader Gurnam Singh Charuni stressed on Monday that the government should include oilseeds and Bajra under MSP, cautioning that if the Centre fails to agree by February 21, Haryana will also join the protest.
