farmers movement

The farmers' 'Delhi March' protest commenced on 6th December 2024. The movement is driven by the joint efforts of the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha.  Under the leadership of farmer leaders Sarwan Singh Pandher and Jagjit Singh Dallewal, the first group of 101 farmers left Shambhu Border, unarmed, at 1 PM, heading towards Delhi. The farmers decided to take this step after allegations were made against their tractors being "modified."

Foot March Decision After 8-Month Wait:

Farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher expressed, "We have been here for the last eight months, yet our demands have been completely ignored. We have faced false accusations, and now we have decided to march on foot to Delhi." The farmers’ movement is receiving strong support from Haryana's Khap Panchayats and the business community. The purpose of this movement is to peacefully bring farmers' issues to the attention of the central government.

Farmers' 12 Key Demands:

During this movement, farmers are presenting 12 key demands to the government. The most important demands include:

1. Legal guarantee for Minimum Support Price (MSP).
2. Seeking justice for those affected by the Lakhimpur Kheri incident.
3. Withdrawal of the Electricity Amendment Bill.
4. Removal of taxes on agricultural equipment.
5. Better pricing for crops.
6. Withdrawal of all cases filed against farmers.
7. Improvement in insurance schemes.
8. Ensuring farmers' rights over water resources.

Haryana Government's Response: Section 144 Imposed:

In light of the farmers' movement, the Haryana government has imposed Section 144 in Ambala, prohibiting public gatherings and processions. To ensure peace and order, authorities have implemented security measures including the deployment of paramilitary forces, the use of drone surveillance, and the readiness of water cannons.  However, farmer leader Pandher has clarified that their movement will remain completely peaceful. He has appealed to the government to allow them to protest under their democratic rights.

Need for Dialogue Between Government and Farmers: This movement emphasizes the ongoing communication gap between the central government and farmers. Pandher stated, "We held four rounds of discussions in February, but there has been no communication since then. We now urge the government to resume discussions on our concerns."

What Lies Ahead? This foot march will raise awareness about farmers’ issues across the country. It remains to be seen what steps the central government will take and how farmers’ problems will be addressed.

Conclusion: The 'Delhi March' movement is a fight for the rights and demands of farmers. This peaceful movement is gaining support from all sections of society. It not only highlights the issues faced by farmers but also calls for democratic dialogue with the government.