Farmers Movement Archive

Bridge to U.P. closed ahead of farmers’ rally

The police conditions also said movement of the procession must not stop, must not take more than two-thirds of the carriageway, and must flow in one direction only. The prescribed time period is from noon to 5 p.m. only. Non-compliance to these conditions could result in termination of the NOC, it warned. Union leaders however, said, the participant limit is not practical. “Throughout the negotiations with the police, it was made clear that there is no way the numbers can be limited. There is no way to tell farmers that you are the chosen 5,000 or even 10,000,” said Mahila Kisan Adhikaar Manch leader Kavitha Kuruganti, who is part of the team coordinating the parades. An SKM spokesperson estimated that apart from 1.5 lakh tractors, 50,000 other vehicles are expected to participate. Up to five farmers are being allowed to ride on each tractor. “There is no limit of vehicles nor time bounds of this march,” claimed an SKM statement. In addition, one Punjab union, the Kisan Mazdoor Sangarsh Committee (KMSC), intends to go a step further in defying the police norms by heading for Delhi’s Outer Ring Road, instead of the approved routes. The group, which had previously defied directions to lift a rail roko in Punjab, said it would not take any decisions “under pressure from the government”. SKM leaders sent multiple delegations to the KMSC leadership through the day, pleading with them to change their plans for the sake of the whole movement. “The farmers protest has been peaceful so far, and will continue to be peaceful. If there is any disturbance, it will not come from our side. We are determined to win, so we must stay peaceful,” emphasised Mr. Rajewal, noting that farmers have already handed over to the police several “troublemakers”, including a youth found with a revolver at Tikri. 2,500 volunteers More than 2,500 volunteers will be on hand along the parade routes, to ensure traffic control, medical support and provide food and water to those who need it. A number of tableaux, floats and banners have been prepared, depicting the culture of different States and the demands of the farmers as well as celebrating women farmers and farmers movements of the past. Although political party flags are not being permitted, some floats seemed to carry sharp socio-political messages, speaking up for oppressed Dalits, or critiquing the policies of the World Bank and IMF. “Never before in history have the people of this Republic been part of a parade of this nature on the Republic Day. Through this parade, we have to tell the country and the world about our plight,” said an SKM statement appealing to protesting farmers to follow strict instructions. “Remember that our aim is not to conquer Delhi, but to win over the hearts of the people of this country.” (With inputs from Vikas Vasudeva in Chandigarh and Saurabh Trivedi in Delhi)

The Hindu

2021-01-26

January 26 2021 00:00 IST