The ongoing ‘Delhi Chalo’ march led by protesting farmers has been temporarily suspended following clashes with Haryana security personnel. The suspension was announced on Sunday after several farmers were injured during teargas shelling as they attempted to cross the Punjab-Haryana border en route to Delhi. The farmers, initially marching from the Shambhu border, have decided to halt their foot march to the national capital for the time being.
Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM) convener, Sarwan Singh Pandher, stated that no farmer groups or ‘jathas’ would resume the march on Tuesday. Pandher accused the central government of showing confusion over how to manage the protests, adding that the farmers’ next course of action would be decided at a meeting of the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and KMM scheduled for Tuesday.
The decision to suspend the march follows tense confrontations at the Punjab-Haryana border, where farmers were met with strong resistance from Haryana’s security forces. Pandher criticized the Haryana BJP leadership for their contradictory stance, as they initially instructed farmers not to use tractor trolleys for the march, only to later suggest that buses and trains could be used instead. He questioned the inconsistency in the government’s approach, pointing to the lack of consensus among the ruling leaders.
“First, they told us not to use tractor trolleys. Now, they are saying we should take buses and trains. The government is confused and incapable of managing this situation,” Pandher remarked. He further stressed that despite the farmers’ willingness to avoid heading to the national capital, their demands must be addressed, specifically regarding the legal guarantee of the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for crops. He noted that many crops, aside from wheat and paddy, are still being procured below MSP, even in Punjab.
The farmers have been demanding a legal guarantee for MSP, debt waivers, pension for farmers and farm workers, and a withdrawal of police cases related to past protests. They are also seeking justice for the victims of the 2021 Lakhimpur Kheri violence.
Meanwhile, the health of farmer leader Jagjeet Singh Dallewal, who has been on a hunger strike at the Khanouri border since November 26, continues to deteriorate. Pandher visited Dallewal on Monday and reported that the leader had lost 11 kilograms and was suffering from liver and kidney issues. Patiala Range DIG Mandeep Sidhu also visited Dallewal to inquire about his condition.
Farmers have been camped at the Shambhu and Khanouri border points since February 13 after security forces stopped their march to Delhi. The protests have intensified as farmers across the country continue to voice their discontent over the government’s handling of their issues.
In response to the ongoing farmer protests, Punjab Assembly Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan criticized the central government for its lack of empathy towards the farmers’ demands. Sandhwan urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to engage in dialogue with the protesters and resolve their issues without further delay. He condemned the government’s indifference, saying it had left Punjab’s farmers stranded on the roads while ignoring their genuine demands.
The farmer protests, which have been ongoing for months, highlight deep concerns over agricultural policies and the economic struggles faced by farmers, particularly in the northern states of Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh. As the situation continues to unfold, farmers remain firm in their stance, demanding concrete actions from the government to address their grievances.
Sources By Agencies
