Farmer’s Protest: Delhi Chalo March Highlights
The ongoing farmer protests have enraged a big riot in the entire northern part of the Indian nation, specially in the national capital region and nearby states. Farmers from Punjab joined hands with those of Haryana and Uttar Pradesh to commence the ‘Chalo Delhi’ march on February 13. Official reports declare that the farmers on Wednesday would continue their protests and march towards the national territory, Delhi. Various routes leading to New Delhi from Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan have been either blocked or diverted and police forces as of now are deployed at the concerned borders to ensure law and order amidst the “Delhi Chalo Andolan.”
Central Delhi has been put under tight security and barricading, and borders of Ghazipur, Tikri, and Singhu have been sealed in order to prevent the farmers from entering Delhi and causing destruction. In light of the protests, the Haryana government on Tuesday extended its order on the restrictions of internet services in 7 districts till February 15 for security reasons, which was earlier imposed till 13th February. Districts falling under this order are Ambala, Kurukshetra, Kaithal, Jind, Fatehabad, and Sirsa.
Entrance gates of eight Delhi metro stations were closed on Tuesday, which included Rajiv Chowk, Mandi House, Central Secretariat, Patel Chowk, Udyog Bhawan, Janpath, and Barakhamba Road. Protestants clogging the Shambhu border, were bombarded with tear gas through helicopters deployed by police forces to get the situation under ease. Traffic situations may continue to remain suspended on Wednesday at Singhu (Delhi-Sonipat) and Tikri (Delhi-Bahadurgarh) borders, as stated by an official, further adding that security force in anti-riot gears have been placed and drones have been employed to keep the respective regions under strict observations. Roads have been layered with barricades, concrete blocks, and iron nails. Along with the Ghazipur border, container walls have been erected at the Singhu and Tikri borders as well.
A Gramin Bharat Bandh has been imposed on Friday, February 16 from 6 am to 4 pm, involving farmers in chakka jam on the nation’s main thoroughfares.
DSP Anil Kumar said, “Currently, the atmosphere is peaceful. Traffic has been diverted. The movement of the pedestrians is normal…”
BSP Chief and former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati said on Wednesday that the Centre should talk and initiate the demands of the farmers instead of taking actions against them. She added that the government should take the demands of the farmers seriously who have led India to the path of self-reliance in food production.
What are the reasons behind Farmer Protests?
Led by The Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and The Kisan Mazdoor Morcha, the main agenda of the protests lie in demanding a legal assurance of Minimum Support Price (MSP) for their production. Apart from that, they also demand the implementation of the Swaminathan Commission’s recommendations, pensions for farmers and agricultural workers, relief from farm debts, and “justice” for victims of Lakhimpur Kheri violence.
India witnessed a havoc situation due to farmer protests in 2020-21, asking to withdraw three disputable farm laws from the BJP-led central government. There has been a notable rise in the number of farmer organizations in the last two years, increasing from 32 that joined collectively in November 2020, to nearly 50.