Farmers’ Protest Escalates: Delhi Chalo March and Demands for MSP Guarantee
Introduction
The ongoing farmers’ protest in India has intensified as thousands of farmers from Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and other states gear up for a ‘Delhi Chalo’ march scheduled for February 13. This march is aimed at pressing the government to fulfill their demands, including a legal guarantee for minimum support price (MSP) for crops.
Union Ministers’ Meeting in Chandigarh
To address the concerns of the farmer organizations, a team of three Union ministers, including Piyush Goyal, Arjun Munda, and Nityanand Rai, held a meeting with farmer leaders in Chandigarh. The meeting was intended to mitigate fears and initiate dialogue between the government and the farmers.
Assurance from Punjab Chief Minister
Following the meeting, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann expressed optimism and care about reaching an agreement on multiple issues. He highlighted the withdrawal of cases against farmers and hinted at the possibility of further discussions between the government and farmer organizations.
Protests in Delhi-NCR
Simultaneously, farmers from Noida and Greater Noida staged protests in Delhi-NCR, disrupting traffic and demanding increased compensation for their land. However, their attempts to march towards Parliament were unsuccessful due to heavy police presence.
Samyukta Kisan Morcha’s Call for Bandh
While some farmer unions are gearing up for the ‘Delhi Chalo’ march on February 13, the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) has called for a nationwide bandh on February 16. This indicates a divergence in strategies among different factions of the farmer organizations.
Haryana’s Home Minister Commends Bharat Ratna for Chaudhary Charan Singh
Amidst the protests, Haryana’s Home Minister, Anil Vij, praised the decision to confer the Bharat Ratna upon former Prime Minister Chaudhary Charan Singh. He emphasized Singh’s contributions to the welfare of farmers and rural communities.
Key Demands of Farmers
The farmers’ demands include a legal guarantee for MSP, implementation of the Swaminathan Commission’s recommendations, pensions for farmers and farm laborers, farm debt waiver, withdrawal of police cases, and justice for victims of the Lakhimpur Kheri violence. (in 2021 when 8 pole including 4 farmers died when they hit by vehicle while protesting against farm laws)
Preparations and Security Measures
In anticipation of the ‘Delhi Chalo’ march, both Punjab and Haryana governments have taken stringent security measures. This includes deploying central paramilitary forces, fortifying borders, and issuing warnings against disruption of peace and public property damage.
Congress Alleges Government’s Silence on MSP
The Congress party has accused the government of neglecting farmers’ demands and failing to provide a legal guarantee for MSP based on the Swaminathan formula. Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh criticized the government’s inaction despite the sacrifices made by farmers.
Punjab CM Stresses Importance of MSP
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann reiterated the significance of MSP for ensuring food security and criticized those questioning its necessity. He emphasized that discontinuing MSP would jeopardize the nation’s food security.
Conclusion
As tensions escalate and preparations intensify for the ‘Delhi Chalo’ march, the standoff between the government and farmers continues. The outcome of the upcoming protests and negotiations will significantly impact agricultural policies and the welfare of farmers in India.
