On December 14, farmers from Punjab and Haryana, who have been staging protests on the border, will march towards Delhi to continue their fight for their rights. This move was confirmed by farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher, who also revealed that a group of 101 farmers, referred to as a ‘jatha’, will lead the march.
The decision comes after a recent 'Prathna Divas' event was scheduled for December 11 to draw attention to the cause. Pandher expressed his dissatisfaction with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who did not address the farmers' concerns during his recent visit to Haryana.
Pandher has also sought support from prominent figures in Punjab, including singers and religious leaders, urging them to join in the ‘Kisan Andolan 2.0’, a renewed farmers’ movement aimed at highlighting the ongoing challenges faced by the farming community.
These influential voices are being called upon to amplify the message and rally the masses, in hopes of achieving a more widespread and impactful protest.
Adding to the momentum of the farmers’ movement, Punjab Assembly Speaker Kultar Sandhwan voiced his support for the protesting farmers during his visit to Patiala.
Sandhwan strongly criticised the central government and Prime Minister Modi for their failure to engage with farmers and address their issues.
He called for immediate talks between the government and the farmers, especially considering the deteriorating health condition of one of their leaders, Jagjit Singh Dallewal. Dallewal, who has been on a hunger strike for 15 days, remains in critical condition, further intensifying the urgency of the situation.
Earlier, the farmers conducted a cleanliness drive at their protest site in Shambhu, as a show of solidarity and resolve. However, tensions escalated during their attempts to march towards Delhi on December 6 and 8, as paramilitary forces and Haryana Police intervened.
Security personnel used tear gas to disperse the crowd, resulting in over two dozen farmers being injured. Despite these setbacks, the farmers remain determined to continue their struggle and push for a solution.
The support for the farmers’ cause has also extended beyond India’s borders. Dr Swaiman Singh, a cardiologist based in the United States and one of the key figures of the 2020 farmers’ protest, has expressed solidarity with Dallewal and the other farmers.
Dr Swaiman, through his appeal to the NRI (Non-Resident Indian) community, is encouraging them to lend their support to the ongoing movement. His involvement highlights the global attention the farmers' protest continues to attract, with people from different walks of life coming together to ensure their voices are heard.
As the farmers prepare to march to Delhi, the pressure on the central government to address their grievances only continues to grow. With leaders like Pandher and Sandhwan pushing for greater recognition of the farmers' demands, the movement is expected to gain further traction in the coming days.
As December 14 approaches, all eyes will be on Delhi, where the next chapter of the ‘Kisan Andolan 2.0’ will unfold.
Follow us
