Sukhmani Kooner, Pune
On Sunday, the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM) and Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) called on farmers from all over India to march towards Delhi on March 6. These two bodies are seen leading the farmer’s agitation. The farmer leaders Sarwan Singh Pandher and Jagjit Singh Dallewal today, called for a ‘rail roko’ protest across the country on March 10. The SKM has also called for a Mahapanchayat, which is scheduled to be held on March 14 in Delhi.
The fourth attempt at negotiation, made on Feb 18, could not work out as planned. The farmers are demanding a minimum support price (MSP) for their produce. In November 2021, after a year of farmer protests, the government repealed the farm laws; however, a discussion over making MSP legal was still pending. The farmers have also put up a demand to the center to implement the Swaminathan Committee report, which, in its 5-part extensive research, focused on developing a national policy to help the farmers of India strive and gain maximum benefit from their produce. It suggested measures related to credit, water access, MSP, and the cost of production. After the failure of the latest negotiations, the Delli Chalo protest resumed. During the talks, the center proposed to buy five crops, namely- cotton, maize, moong dal, urad dal, and tur dal, at MSP for five years. This offer was rejected by the farmers as it still did not assure them of security. However, a senior Indian agriculture economist, Dr. Sardara Singh Johl, has said that an MSP for all crops is not a practical solution.
As the protest entered day 23, an influx of farmers was seen around the Singhu, Tikri, and Ghazipur borders. Delhi Police has increased security at Sarai Kale Khan, Anand Vihar, and Kashmere Gate to tackle the movement. It is also said that vigilance is increased at the borders, railway stations, and metro stations. There are heavy police and paramilitary forces stationed at the borders; however, they are not closed. Section 144, which, when passed by the magistrate, restricts the assembly of more than 4 people at a place, has been imposed in Delhi.