Delhi: Tractors ready, farmers won’t budge an inch

NEW DELHI: “Agriculture is our culture,” these words, written in bold white letters across a red banner, stood out at the protest site at Singhu border on Saturday where thousands of farmers have been camping for the last two months to voice their dissent against the recently-passed farm laws.
“We have said this before, and we won’t get tired of repeating this, but we will stay here until the government repeals these laws,” said Jaswant Singh, a 52-year-old farmer from Punjab’s Rupnagar district.He added that the government’s proposal to suspend the laws for a time period did not inspire confidence. “They have agreed to suspend the laws only under pressure. But there is no guarantee they would stand by their promises,” he said.

As 11th round of talks between the Centre and farm leaders reached another stalemate, protesters asserted their demand for complete rollback of the laws.

Just a 100 metres from the main stage, farmers and civil society members organised a “Kisan Sansad” at Guru Tegh Bahadur Memorial. “The Centre passed these laws without constituting any parliamentary committee and did not even consult any legislator or farm unions. This forced farmers to fight for their survival through protests. The Centre has also refused to allow farmers inside the capital for Republic Day, even though protesters just want to celebrate the spirit of this country,” said Supreme Court lawyer Prashant Bhushan at the beginning of the Sansad, which was later addressed by CPI politician Brinda Karat.

Former Prime Minister H D Devegowda, too, supported the Sansad and tweeted, “I was born a poor farmer’s son, and have never let down farming communities in my political life... I take this opportunity to reiterate my objections to the three farm bills which were brought in as ordinances and then passed as laws without proper consultation or discussion.”

Meanwhile, hundreds of tractors with the tricolour hoisting on them are being readied for the January 26 rally to Delhi. Protesters have made symbolic ploughs and attached the Indian flag to their handle.

“Our purpose is to show the government how a democracy functions. Everyone can express themselves here. Our leaders had even sent invitations to current members of parliament to come and engage with us. We are not a threat. We are just concerned citizens who have no choice,” said Jaspal Khan, a protester, who had come to listen to the dialogue around the Bills.

“We feed the entire country, but the government is trampling on our rights. We can’t be mute spectators now. We have to ensure that our children inherit our lands and legacy,” Khan added, amid chants of “Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan”.

All India Kisan Sabha general secretary Atul Kumar Anjaan told TOI that farm leaders were united on every front and would go ahead with the tractor rally. “We have already charted out a course that will take us to Delhi. Over 60,000 tractors are in standby near the borders. But the rally won’t be conducted in the capital alone. Smaller units are organising a similar rally in at least 194 districts across India,” Anjaan said.

According to the AIKS leader, farmers would go back only when their main demands are met. “We want complete rollback of the laws, and the implementation of the Swaminathan committee. Additionally, MSP should get a legal umbrella and the debts of small farmers should be waived,” he said.