Farmers Movement Archive

Food for thought: Local women lend a hand

NEW DELHI: After a few supposed “local residents” staged a protest at Singhu border a few days ago demanding that the farmers vacate the road, a few women were found coming forward to extend their support to the protest. The women, who are local residents, said they were helping prepare food at the site. Khushi, a 25-year-old resident of Narela, has been coming to Singhu border for the past four days. While chopping vegetables, she said, “I was very sad when I saw farmers being blamed for the violence. In what smacks of a conspiracy, a few people staged a protest here asking the farmers to leave. I decided to come here daily to show solidarity with the farmers. My family supports my decision to do sewa here.” Nagina Shah, who lives in Singhu village, said, “My husband is a labourer and we understand the pain and struggle of farmers. Without farmers, there will be no food. When I’m here, my in-laws take care of my four children.” Shah comes around 9am and usually leaves by 5pm. “The farmers have been feeding scores of locals for over two months without any bias. It is our duty to help them in their fight for justice. They also give us food to take home for our family,” she said. Roshni Mishra (45), who was preparing food at a langar, said, “A section of people have been spreading rumours that the protest by farmers is causing inconvenience to locals, who want them to leave. These people never objected in the last two months. Farmers sow enough food for themselves. Without them, we will die of hunger. It is disheartening that farmers are camping on the road braving cold and rain to fight for their rights. Moved by their plight, I started coming here last week.” Amarjeet Singh, a farmer from Punjab, said, “Some people living in the adjoining villages have been helping us prepare food. We are happy that they are supporting us.”

The Times of India

2021-02-09

Delhi