Farmers to resume protest march to Delhi today, say Centre in no mood to talk

A group of protesting farmers from Punjab and Haryana will march towards Delhi on Sunday as the leaders accuse the central government of lack of response and engagement in discussions.

In anticipation of their renewed attempt to reach Delhi, security has been heightened at the Punjab-Haryana border, with barricades set up to block their advance. This fresh march follows an attempt on Friday, during which farmers tried to move toward the national capital but suspended their bid after several protestors sustained injuries when security personnel fired tear gas shells at the border.

Farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher stated that no communication for talks had been received from the Centre regarding their concerns and demands, including a legal guarantee for the Minimum Support Price (MSP). He announced on Saturday that a group of 101 farmers would resume their march to Delhi on December 8.

“The centre has made up its mind not to talk with farmers and labourers. They are using force to stop us. We will move to Delhi peacefully and discipline, like we did yesterday. The (Narendra) Modi government is in no mood to hold talks. We have decided to send a delegation of 101 farmers towards Delhi around 12 noon,” Pander said.

He also accused Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan of misleading Parliament. “The agriculture minister is misleading Parliament. We are demanding a legal guarantee on MSP, but the minister remains silent,” Pandher said.

Pandher further announced that the farmers would oppose the entry of BJP leaders into Punjab.

“The protest by Kisan Mazdoor Morcha and Samyukta Kisan Morcha (non-political) has entered the 300th day. But the central government is still adamant… We made another big announcement that we will protest the entry of BJP leaders in Punjab. We are not sure, but we have heard that Saini (Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini) and Gadkari (Union Minister Nitin Gadkari) ji are going to Amritsar. We call upon the farmers of Punjab to protest their entry into the state,” he said.

Pandher also accused the Bhagwant Mann-led Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Punjab of having ties with the Centre. “What we used to say is that the Bhagwant Mann government in Punjab has some sort of alliance with the central government,” he alleged.

On Friday, a ‘jatha’ was stopped by multilayered barricades erected by Haryana security personnel. Despite prohibitory orders, the farmers attempted to break through but were met with resistance as security forces fired tear gas shells, forcing them to return to their protest site at Shambhu in Punjab.

The farmers had previously attempted to march towards Delhi on February 13 and February 21 but were blocked by security forces at border points.

In addition to MSP, the farmers are demanding a farm debt waiver, pensions for farmers and agricultural labourers, a freeze on electricity tariff hikes, withdrawal of police cases against farmers, and justice for the victims of the 2021 Lakhimpur Kheri violence. Their demands also include reinstating the Land Acquisition Act, 2013, and compensation for the families of farmers who died during the 2020-21 protests.