Farmers Movement Archive

Travels & Travails: Farmers Look Back, Ahead

New Delhi: Mohini Kaur has been at the Singhu border for the past one year. The 61-year-old widow lived in a makeshift home at Singhu constructed by a do-gooder at a cost of Rs 13,000. The chill of winter, the sweltering heat of June and the pelting rain of August and the tear gas shells did not deter her or her fellow protesters from relenting on their demand for the repeal of three central farm laws. Friday marked a year of the protest at the Delhi borders and the mood at Singhu was that of a mini carnival. Kaur is now being assisted by 22-year-old Harjit, who has become a surrogate son for the her that she has lost. Harjit told TOI, “I will take aunty back home with me. After finishing my studies, I came to the protest site and have been with aunty for the last two months.” As usual, there were orations from the dais. Several speakers talked about their struggles of the past year. Their resilience was appreciated by singer Babbu Maan and actress Gul Panag, both of whom were there at Singhu on Friday to observe the anniversary of the farmers’ agitation. But there was some levity too and music blared from the tractors and people made merry. There were more than the unusual number of people at the protest site, with farmers from across the country, and some NRIs, arriving for the anniversary. Nichattar Singh, 86, is popular at Singhu and his home is known to all. Chortling heartily, he said, “86 and not out. I may complete a century but won’t go home until our demands are met. We have suffered a lot, but we have been able to persevere, thanks to the love and support we got from people in India and abroad. We came here for two days of protests, but the roads have become our home.” Among the protesters was a Class III student, Agam Singh, who has come all the way from Ambala to Singh. The youngster arrived with his father and grandfather, both farmers, and said “I am enjoying being here, with the langar, the tractor and trolley. I came here earlier too but since Friday marked a year of protests, it was special.” Juice seller Jagroop Singh also reached the capital from Amritsar. “The entire air is so full of energy. I was only able to come here on Thursday because I have to earn my livelihood too,” said Jagroop.

The Times of India

2021-11-27

Delhi