Farmers Movement Archive

Farmers declare victory, to start vacating protest sites

The thousands of farmers camped out on the borders of Delhi for over a year will start returning home on Saturday, with victory rallies to celebrate the achievement of most of their major goals. On Thursday, the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM), a coalition of unions spearheading the protests, called off the agitation, accepting the Central Government’s latest offer to resolve their pending demands. However, the political rewards the ruling BJP may have expected in conceding the farmers’ demands remain uncertain given the conflicting opinions on the SKM’s approach towards the Assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand. Rakesh Tikait, the unions’ best known face in U.P., told The Hindu a decision on whether or not to campaign against the BJP would be taken at the SKM’s next meeting on January 15. That meeting is meant to review whether the Government has kept its promises to unconditionally withdraw cases filed against protesters, provide compensation for the kin of farmers who died at the protests, and form a panel to ensure that all farmers can sell their produce at remunerative minimum support prices (MSP). “This is a historic victory for Indian farmers after a historic movement both in terms of size as well as the unity and peaceful nature of the protest,” All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS) leader Hannan Mollah said. “After the repeal of the farm laws last month, and today’s proposal from the Government on the remaining demands, I feel we have achieved 95% of the SKM’s demands,” Krantikari Kisan Union leader Darshan Pal said. Victory celebrations have been scheduled for Saturday, out of respect for the cremation of Gen. Bipin Rawat on Friday. At the Singhu border site, a number of farmers have already begun packing up their temporary accommodations, although U.P. leader Rakesh Tikait said it could take a while for all protestors to vacate the protest sites, especially in his Ghazipur stronghold.

The Hindu

2021-12-10

NEW DELHI