Farmers Movement Archive

Farmer’s death tempers mood at Tikri border

NEW DELHI: The Bharat bandh on Tuesday was a celebratory event at Tikri border, where farmers from Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan at sitting in protest. The day, however, began with consternation when a 32-year-old farmer from Sonipat was found dead in the morning. His body was sent for a post-mortem examination, though police suspect he died of hypothermia. But while the farmers mourned the death, they cited it as their willingness to even die for the greater good of their families and the generations to follow. “We will continue talks with the central government because they said they will amend the new laws,” said Manpreet Singh, who has been at the site since the first day. “We don’t want small changes here and there. We want the law to be repealed.” Manak Singh too has been there since the first day. “Had the protest not taken place, we wouldn’t have lost a farmer today,” he said. “Don’t these farmers like living in peace? Why would they live on the streets for weeks if their cause wasn’t right? The government needs to rethink.” Over 2,000 farmers shouted rousing slogans as their leaders delivered rousing speeches throughout the day. They were eyed warily by a heavy posse of security personnel, manning the multi-layer barricading. However, farmer Lal Singh said there was no risk of violence. “We have been raising our voices for a very long time and they have gone unheard. This protest was all that was left for us to do,” he explained. “There is no way we can return home carrying the burden of disappointment on our shoulders. We will stand by our demands, no matter how much time it takes.” Lal Singh added, “We have come prepared for the long haul and have enough rations to last us at least four months. We sleep in the tractors and are facing no problems here. There are public toilets too. If need be, the farmers’ unions will call for another Bharat bandh soon.” Tikri is one of the borders of Delhi with Haryana. Thousands of farmers, mainly from Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh, have gathered here and have been protesting against the three contentious farm laws for the past 13 days.

The Times of India

2020-12-09

Delhi