Farmers Movement Archive

Amid music and cheers, chorus at Singhu border: Give it to us in writing...

NEW DELHI: The township of tents and tractors that has come up at Singhu border on the national highway, and only expanded over the past one year, is not about to disappear into the blue. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s early morning announcement that the three farm laws would be repealed set off celebrations at this camp but the protesters insisted that they wanted the government to put everything in writing, indicating the huge trust deficit that has prolonged the agitation. Their leaders have, of course, elsewhere said that they would like the laws to be actually repealed before they give up this vantage point. On Friday, the farmers were in a festive mood with loud music blaring from tractors and people breaking into a jig. If there had been any bitterness about their clashes with the police and subsequently being put under a virtual siege with layers of barricades and access control, this was not the day to rake that up. They took it as a good omen because it was Guru Nanak Jayanti and their long struggle had borne fruit. Nichetra Singh, 85, was hugging other farmers near his tent. “We braved the cold weather and heavy rain here. We lost our brothers during the protest. But, finally, we have won. We will, however, not leave this place till they don't give us in writing that they have withdrawn the farm laws,” he said. Ajit Pal, 34, standing next to Singh, was flashing the victory sign, posing for photographers. “The past one year has been a golden as well as the worst period for my life. During the protest, I met several people and we all became a family. It was a learning period for me. I was hurt when I saw elderly people sitting and protesting for their rights. I also missed my daughter," he recalled. He said they have won the battle, but if today's announcement turned out to be some kind of political stunt, they could continue their protest till 2025. Meanwhile, a tractor, blaring Punjabi songs, reached near the main stage. Children and youths were dancing on it while sweets were being distributed. People from across the city, including politicians, had reached the site to congratulate the farmers and click selfies with them. Joginder Singh, 64, along with four friends, has been camping here for the past nine months. “It is the victory of democracy and farmers across the country. They have given us immense support,” he said. His friend, Balbir Singh, 65, insisted that they wanted everything in writing before they could even think of moving. Gurmel Singh, 63, who was sitting near the stage and talking to other protesters, said besides their protests, the forthcoming elections too had forced the government’s hands. Yudhvir Singh, a Samyukt Kisan Morcha leader, agreed with Gurmel. “The government should have taken this decision on the very first day of our protest. We lost more than 700 farmers. If they had thought about the well-being of the farmers, they would have never come up with such laws,” he said.

The Times of India

2021-11-20

Delhi