The farmers unions protesting against the three farm laws, intensified their protest.
On the 5th of January, the protesting farmers announced to take out a tractor march at the four borders of Delhi. The tractor march would be organised on the 8th of January to protest against the three farm laws.
While the Central Government is ready to make some amendments in the bills, the farmers want it to be scrapped altogether. The next meeting regarding the three farm laws is scheduled on the 8th of January.
Farmers are demanding just a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ from the Central Government without any compromise or negotiations.
According to the farmers, the three farm bills –
The Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Bill 2020, the Farmers Agreement of Price Assurance and Farm Services Bill 2020 (Empowerment and Protection) and the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Bill 2020, would demolish Minimum Price Support (MSP) giving agriculture sector to the corporates and privatise the agriculture sector.
They also fear, with the new agriculture laws, they would be at the mercy of corporate people, as the mandi system would also be out of context.
The announcement came a day after the seventh round of talks between the farmer unions and the Central Government.
The meeting was held on the 4th of January, but was inconclusive.
Yogendra Yadav, a member of Swaraj India Union, said, “This will be a trailer for what lies ahead on January 26.” He further said, “From Wednesday, for two weeks, ‘Desh Jagran Abhiyan’ will be started and protests will be deepened throughout the country.”
In addition, the Krantikari Kisan Union president Darshan Pal also announced the Kisan Parade on the Republic Day, the 26th of January.
Mr. Pal said, “On January 18, Mahila Kisan Diwas will be held. On January 23, on the occasion of the birth anniversary of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, Azad Hind Kisan Diwas will be celebrated. And on January 25 and 26, tractor parades will take place.”
Samyukta Kisan Morcha released a statement which read, “We intend to be peaceful and we told the government long ago during our talks that it has only two options – either repeal the three Central farm Acts or use force on us to evict us,”
Meanwhile,farmers at Singhu border launched a massive exercise to cover all the tents with waterproof plastic sheets following rains in the city.
Large bamboo sticks and iron pipes were brought to the border with hundreds of waterproof tarpaulin sheets to cover the tents. Farmers said a mega tent is also being set up at the centre stage from where the leaders address the protesters every day.
On the 6th of January, thousands of farmers from Haryana and Punjab entered the 42nd day of their protest near the borders of New Delhi.
The protest is continuing in several parts of Delhi, Haryana and Punjab.
Stay tuned for further updates.
