Protesting farmers observe day-long hunger strike on Monday

Last updated on February 21st, 2023 at 01:03 pm

Day-long hunger strike: Thousands of farmers observed day-long hunger strike as part of their protest against new farm laws Thousands of farmers protesting against the Centre’s new farm laws across various Delhi borders observed a day-long hunger strike on Monday.

Beginning at 8 am on Monday, the hunger strike witnessed the participation of representatives of more than 30 farmers unions under the banner of the Sanyukt Kisan Morcha. As per media reports, heads of all farmers unions concluded their day-long hunger strike on Monday evening as part of their agitation against the three agricultural laws.

They ended their fast by drinking water and eating fruits after offering “ardaas” of Guru Nanak Dev.

Extending support to the protesting farmers, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal joined AAP MLAs, leaders and other volunteers at the party office in observing the hunger strike. Terming the new farm laws as “anti-farmer and anti-common man”, the AAP chief said that they are in favour of a few capitalists and will result in unprecendented inflation.

Ending their day-long fast, farmers-led by BKU (Bharatiya Kisan Union) Doaba leader Manjeet Singh reiterated their appeal to the Modi government to repeal the laws. “Our message to the government is that due to its policies the ‘annadatas’ had to observe fast today,” Manjeet Singh said, as quoted by news agency ANI.

Parallel to the hunger strike, a delegation of Haryana MPs and MLAs met met Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar in the presence of Union Minister of State for Water Resources Ratanlal Kataria among others to discuss the farmers’ agitation.
Meanwhile, 10 farmers organisation from various states including UP, Bihar, Kerala, Telangana, and Haryana associated with All India Kisan Coordination Committee also met the Union Agriculture Minister on Monday and submitted a memorandum extending their support the three farm laws.

Every day, more farmers are joining the protests across various borders around the country to put forth their demand to the government to repeal the new agri laws. Taking out marches, raising posters and banners, and shouting slogans against government, these farmers have been mobilising all forms of efforts to exhert pressure on the government. For more than three weeks, these farmers have been camping at various border points near the national capital to demonstrate their disapproval for the three farm laws passed by the Parliament in September.

Social activist Anna Hazare has also written to Narendra Singh Tomar, warning of resuming his hunger strike if the Centre fails to meet the farmers’ demand including the implementation of MSP (Minimum Support Price) and giving autonomy to the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CAPC).

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