Farmers Movement Archive

Hundreds of Uttar Pradesh farmers set out for Delhi border as BKU relaunches protests against three farm laws

MUZAFFARNAGAR: Hundreds of farmers packed their food, clothes and other essentials and turned the keys into ignition of their tractors as they set out for Delhi border to take part in another round of protests against the Central government’s three agriculture laws, which the farm unions firmly believe will hurt the interest of the growers. The protests had died down on the Ghazipur border due to the second wave of pandemic, but it continued at the other border points where farmers from Punjab were camping. Now, after BKU leader Naresh Tikait’s call, the famers from western UP are coming out to re-launch the stir. The tractor rally is being dubbed as the beginning which will take hundreds of farmers to Ghazipur border point on Friday, where a mahapanchayat will be held. It started from Saharanpur on Wednesday and will reach Ghazipur border on Friday evening. On Thursday, the farmers were in Muzaffarnagar where scores joined them. The rally will cut through Meerut and Ghaziabad on Friday where a large number of farmers are expected to join it. BKU spokesperson Dharmendra Malik said, “Hundreds of tractors from Muzaffarnagar district will also join the rally. It will take a halt at the Sewaya toll plaza in Meerut on Thursday night. They will reach the Ghazipur border at 5pm on Friday.” BKU leader Naresh Tikait said, “A mahapanchayat will be organised at the Gazipur border on Friday.” While BKU’s national spokesperson Rakesh Tikait said, “It is a kind of drill, a beginning to send across an ultimatum to the government.” Rakesh said that the government is not listening to the farmers in spite of several shocks. “The first jolt was given in West Bengal. The second will be from UP and Uttarakhand where elections are due. If the disease is serious then the treatment will also take some time.” BKU had assigned targets to their district presidents to mobilize farmers. BKU leadership has been holding meetings with district and divisional presidents. Besides the Delhi borders, protests are also planned at the local level.

The Times of India

2021-06-25

Meerut