Farmers Protest: A group of 101 farmers under the banner of Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha will march on foot towards Delhi on Saturday, 14th December, from the Shambhu border in Punjab. The announcement was made on Friday by farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher, who emphasised that the march would be peaceful. This follows earlier unsuccessful attempts to enter Delhi on 6th and 8th December, which were blocked by security forces in Haryana.  

“The government should explain how 101 farmers marching on foot can pose a threat. Despite objections, we will continue our peaceful protest,” Pandher told reporters at the Shambhu protest site, as quoted by news agency PTI. He also highlighted the dire situation faced by farmers, adding, “Every hour, 2-3 farmers or labourers are committing suicide. We cannot leave them in this state. If the Modi government wants our life, we are prepared, but we demand the resolution of farmers’ issues. Our fight is for justice, and if sacrifices are needed, we are ready.”  

The planned march comes as Punjab farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal’s fast-unto-death entered its eighteenth day. Dallewal has been on a hunger strike at the Khanauri border since 26th November, demanding the Centre accept farmers’ demands, including a legal guarantee of Minimum Support Price (MSP) for crops.

Speaking to ANI, Pandher remarked, “Our third group headed by Jaswinder Singh Longowal and Malkit Singh will proceed from here peacefully sharp at 12… We are receiving information from Khanauri that Jagjit Singh Dallewal is not keeping well. The whole country is worried about his health except for the PM and Home Minister. Neither are they worried about our Delhi March nor are they worried about what’s happening in Khanauri.”

#WATCH | Shambhu Border: Farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher says, “Our third group headed by Jaswinder Singh Longowal and Malkit Singh will proceed from here peacefully sharp at 12… We are receiving information from Khanauri that Jagjit Singh Dallewal is not keeping well. The… pic.twitter.com/0JKwPeXcBK

— ANI (@ANI) December 13, 2024

“We believe that forming a committee is not a solution to our problem. If the government wants to arrive at a solution, they must arrange talks with us,” he added.

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Rakesh Tikait Calls For Farmers’ Unity As Jagjit Singh Dallewal’s Hunger Strike Enters Day 18

Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) leader Rakesh Tikait on Friday visited Punjab farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal, whose fast-unto-death entered the eighteenth day, at the Khanauri border. Tikait, accompanied by SKM leader Harinder Singh Lakhowal, emphasised the need for unity among farmers’ groups to mount a joint fight for their rights.

“Dallewal ji is our big leader, and we are worried about his health. Farmers across the country are worried. The government must take cognisance. It does not seem Dallewal will end his fast-unto-death until the government engages in talks and meets the farmers’ demands,” Tikait said, as quoted by PTI.

Addressing the divisions among farmers’ organisations, Tikait added, “We have formed a committee that will communicate with the groups. A strategy will be devised for the future course of action.” He emphasised the need to demonstrate farmers’ strength to the Centre and suggested a new strategy for protests. “This time, Delhi won’t be surrounded at its borders like during the agitation against the now-repealed farm laws. Instead, the national capital will be surrounded from the Kundli-Manesar-Palwal (KMP) expressway,” he said.

Tikait noted that the government would respond only when all farmers’ outfits united. “The agitation against the repealed farm laws ran for 13 months at Delhi’s borders. The government once again needs 4 lakh tractors. The agitation this time will be on KMP. We will make KMP the borders of Delhi. When and how that will happen, we will see,” he remarked.

Tikait accused the Centre of dividing farmers’ groups to further its agenda. “The ruler has to be shown the might,” he said, adding that Sikhs are a brave community unafraid of making sacrifices, as demonstrated in the past.

Lakhowal described Dallewal’s health as worrisome and called for urgent government action. “We know he will not leave the morcha until the demands are met,” Lakhowal said. On the question of unity among farmers’ groups, he added, “We have formed a committee and will speak to other leaders before making a decision. Without unity, this battle cannot be won. It is not just about one state; all states must come together.”

Dallewal has been on a hunger strike at the Khanauri border between Punjab and Haryana since 26th November, demanding the Centre accept the farmers’ demands, including a legal guarantee of Minimum Support Price (MSP) for crops. Farmers under the SKM (Non-Political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha have been protesting at the Shambhu and Khanauri border points since 13th February after their march to Delhi was blocked by security forces.