Farmers’ protests: Leaders, volunteers across nation join in

Last updated on February 21st, 2023 at 12:31 pm

Farmers’ protests: Farmers, politicians and volunteers across nation have joined hands to protest the three farm laws

The ongoing farmers’ protests at the Haryana-Delhi border have evoked massive responses of solidarity from various parts of India. Leaders from across party lines have come out in support of the farmers as they are camping at the protest site for almost a week now. 

Scores of farmers, volunteers and politicians from Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and other states have arrived at the Singhu Border in recent days to protest against the three farm laws passed by the Modi government at the Centre. Doctors and medical professionals from various states including West Bengal and Madhya Pradesh have joined these protesting farmers to provide medicines and other healthcare facilities at the border when needed. 

With increasing support from Opposition parties and trade unions, farmers unions have called for a Bharat Bandh on Tuesday, halting some services such as the supply of fruits and vegetables across the country. Essentially, Delhi could be hard-hit by the nationwide shutdown, noting that it has become the epicentre of farmers’ protests. However, the movement of supply trucks could be affected in many states as various motor transport unions of the country have out in support of the protesting farmers.

Taking note of the development, the Centre has asked the governments of states and union territories to tighten security around various regions, while stressing on maintaining peace and tranquillity during the protests. In addition, the Home Minister has issued a countrywide advisory for state governments to ensure compliance to COVID-19 precautionary norms such as social distancing measures in view of the prevailing COVID-19 conditions. 

According to Bharatiya Kisan Union general secretary Harinder Singh Lakhowal, members of the farmers’ unions will block national highways and take control of toll plazas as part of the nationwide shutdown in cooperation with the protesting farmers against the three contentious ordinances.

Farmers have also urged people to participate in the protests peacefully as they do not mean to “cause problems for the common man.” 

In recent days, major opposition parties including Congress, NCP, Samajwadi Party, DMK, TRS and Left have come out in support of the farmers’ call for Bharat Bandh.

On the sideline, talks between protesting farmers and the Union government have remained inconclusive even after five rounds of negotiations. A sixth meeting has been scheduled between the farmers and the Centre on December 9 in a bid to settle the deadlock. 

The NDA government passed the three farm laws in September ignoring nationwide calls for more scrutiny and discussions on the bills.

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