Farmer groups across the country are carrying out protests, demanding compensation and benefits under the agricultural reforms. The Bharatiya Kisan Parishad (BKP) along with allied farmer groups Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM) and Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) is holding a ‘Dilli Chalo’ 2.0 protest march. Led by BKP leader Sukhbir Khalifa, the protest is scheduled to commence on Monday in Noida.
Background
Coinciding with the incumbent Winter session, the farmers plan to begin their march on December 2, under the Maha Maya flyover in Noida towards the Parliament, on foot and tractors. Farmers from twenty districts across Uttar Pradesh, including Aligarh, Gautam Buddh Nagar, Agra and Bulandshahr are set to participate in the march.
Moreover, farmer groups across the states of Kerala, Uttarakhand and Tamil Nadu intend to march to their respective legislative assemblies on December 6.
Farmers from Punjab and Haryana have been carrying protests since February 13 this year at the two states’ Shambhu border. Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee (KMSC) general secretary Sarwan Singh Pandher announced that these farmers would join on December 6, headed by Surinder Singh Chautala, Surjit Singh Phul, Baljinder Singh and Satnam Singh Pannu.
Key Demands
The farmers have demanded a legally guaranteed Minimum Support Price (MSP). Besides this the farmers have called for the waiver of farm loans, pensions for farmers and farm labourers, restoration of the Land Acquisition Act 2013, enforcing the recommendations of the Swaminathan Commission and providing compensation to the families of the farmers who died in 2020-21.
Earlier on February 18 this year, the central government proposed to procure crops like pulses, corn and maize at MSP for five years. However, the offer was subsequently rejected by farmer leaders citing unacceptability of contract farming.
Security beefed up
In light of the protests, the Delhi- Noida Police on Monday issued thorough traffic advisories and heightened security deploying 5,000 security forces in parts of Noida- Delhi. As a part of security check, the police are conducting vehicle inspections and have diverted certain routes, which lead to traffic congestion at the Chilla border and DND flyway at Delhi- Noida borders.
Kalindi Kunj, another junction connecting the two cities came to a standstill.
Image Source: ANI
Shivhari Meena, additional Commissioner of Police, Noida said that a three-layered security has been put into effect and the police is in constant communication with the farmers. For emergency and smooth traffic management, various traffic diversions have been announced. Additionally, 1,000 Public Service Commission (PSC) workers, water cannons, TGS and fire squads have also been positioned across the two cities.
Vice President’s urge
Addressing an event commemorating the 138th birth anniversary of freedom fighter Raja Mahendra Pratap, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar urged the protesting farmers for dialogue. He stated that the foundation of a developed India lies on the farmers land and the issue must be resolved at a rapid pace.
Dhankhar expressed appreciation for the efforts of Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan in engaging with the farmers through discussion. He further expressed optimism, hopeful of a convergence of positive energy in resolvement of their concerns.
Emphasising on the collectiveness and mutual respect in addressing the farmer concerns, he said “’My doors will remain open 24 hours a day to resolve their problems.”
