Farmers Movement Archive

Farmers on relay hunger stir, ex-collector will fast today

JAIPUR: Eleven farmer leaders observed 24-hour hunger strike at Alwar’s Shahjahanpur border on Jaipur-Delhi national highway to protest the three farm laws. They began the process of relay hunger strike from Monday. Meanwhile, Swaraj Abhiyaan leader Yogendra Yadav, former Jaipur Collector Jagroop Singh Yadav, local Congress leader Lalit Yadav have been appealing the villagers in Shahjahanpur and Neemrana to support the farmers’ agitation. “We went to five villages today (Monday), organised meetings with the villagers and urged them to support the farmers’ cause and actively participate in the agitation. Tomorrow (Tuesday), I will be one among the 11 persons to observe hunger strike. I believe, the farmers should be turned into industrialists instead of involving corporates in agricultural transactions,” said Jagroop Yadav. “We are on a relay hunger strike from today (Monday). Today (Monday), 11 of us are on hunger strike and it will continue till 11am on Tuesday. A fresh batch of 11 persons will observe fast on Tuesday and the practice shall be repeated daily. This was decided by Sayunkt Kisan Morcha on Sunday,” said All India Kishan Sabha (AIKS) leader Amra Ram. “People from nearby villages are supporting our cause by providing us with food items, milk, water, lassi, blankets, mattress, quilt etc. Villagers of Bhiwani (Haryana) have promised to donate 300 more quilts,” he added. The 11 farmer leaders who were on hunger strike on Monday were – Amra Ram, Mangal Singh Yadav, Kalu Thori, Rameshwar Bagdia, Moti Lal Sharma, Bhagat Singh, Bhim Singh Mittad, Bhagwanaram Jakhar, Daya Bhai Gajera, Balwinder Singh and Begaram Prajapati. On Kisan Diwas (National Farmers’ Day), which is celebrated on December 23, the protesters will observe fast by skipping one meal a day. From December 25 to 27, the farmers of Haryana will protest at the toll plazas and ensure a toll-free day. The Sayunkt Kisan Morcha has appealed to the citizens of the country to bang utensils on December 27 to drown out Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Mann Ki Baat’. Meanwhile, the Jaipur-Delhi national highway (NH-8) continued to remain sealed at Shahajahanpur on Rajasthan-Haryana border owing to farmers’ agitation. The vehicles travelling to Delhi are being diverted through the Behror-Tatarpur-Khairtal route. The three farm laws that are being opposed by the farmers of Punjab and Haryana are — the Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation); The Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement of Price Assurance; and Farm Services and The Essential Commodities (Amendment).

The Times of India

2020-12-22

Jaipur