Farmers, predominantly from Punjab, joined by counterparts from Haryana and Uttar Pradesh, initiated their ‘Chalo Delhi’ march after inconclusive talks with the Union government. Before the march, leaders from the three states engaged in a five-hour discussion with Union Ministers Piyush Goyal and Arjun Munda. Despite a consensus on most issues, farmers remained resolute in their decision to march on Tuesday, resulting in the closure of several state borders surrounding Delhi.
Union Agriculture Minister Munda stated that significant progress was made during the meeting, addressing key concerns raised by the farmers. However, the protesting farmers remained steadfast in their commitment to the march, anticipating widespread disruption across Delhi NCR.
Led by the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha, Tuesday’s march aims to exert pressure on the Centre to accede to their demands. Primary among these demands is the enactment of legislation guaranteeing a minimum support price (MSP) for crops.
The farmers’ agitation centers around the legal assurance of MSP, a pivotal point in their protest. Additionally, they seek the implementation of recommendations from the Swaminathan Commission and the waiver of farm debts. Hailing from Haryana, Punjab, and Uttar Pradesh, the farmers are staging a massive protest in Delhi to emphasize the need for a legal MSP guarantee. The ‘Delhi Chalo’ march was announced to compel the Centre to acknowledge their demands.
To manage potential unrest, over 50,000 security personnel have been deployed at Delhi’s borders. Furthermore, in a precautionary measure, internet and bulk SMS services have been suspended in seven districts – Ambala, Kurukshetra, Kaithal, Jind, Hisar, Fatehabad, and Sirsa – for February 13. The heightened security measures and communication restrictions reflect the government’s efforts to maintain order and control during the farmers’ protest.
As the farmers converge on Delhi, the coming days will reveal the impact of their demonstration and whether the government will address their grievances, particularly the crucial issue of legalizing the MSP.
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