Delhi Chalo march set to resume tomorrow after govt talks with farmers fail

Farmer activist Sarwan Singh Pandher has warned the BJP-led government that it will be held accountable for “whatever happens now” after farmers leading the Delhi Chalo march rejected the Centre’s plan to acquire pulses, maize, and cotton at MSP.

After talks with the government failed, the protesting farmers announced that they will resume their march to Delhi on Wednesday, February 21. Pandher stated on Tuesday morning that the administration has made it plain that it will not allow them to enter Delhi.

“The government’s purpose was clear: they would not allow us to enter Delhi at any cost.If you refuse to find a solution through dialogue with farmers, we should be permitted to march to Delhi,” he told ANI. Referring to the police adopting unprecedented efforts to halt the march, Pandher stated that the situation in Haryana is identical to that of Kashmir.

“When we moved towards Delhi, shelling happened…Bullets were also used on the tyres of the tractors…DGP Haryana has said that they are not using tear gas on farmers…We demand punishment for those using it then…Wrong statements are also being given…The situation in Haryana is like that of Kashmir. We will march towards Delhi on Feb 21…The govt has given us a proposal so that we backtrack from our original demands…The government will be responsible for whatever happens now,” he continued.

In the fourth round of negotiations with farmer leaders, a panel of three Union ministers proposed on Sunday that government agencies acquire pulse, maize, and cotton crops at minimum support prices (MSP) for five years.

On Monday, protesting farmers rejected the government’s proposal, claiming it aims to “divert and dilute” their demand for MSP. They stated that the farmers will not accept anything less than the recommendations in the Swaminathan Commission report. Pandher stated yesterday that the government should enable them to enter Delhi.

“We will move to Delhi peacefully at 11 am on February 21,” he told reporters. Farmers are urging that the government pass legislation declaring all crops as minimum support prices. The government claims that MSP for all crops will strain the national budget.

Recent clash between police and protesting farmers

Earlier this month, police in BJP-ruled Haryana fired tear gas shells at protesting farmers.
On Monday, Pandher stated that the farmers did not violate the barricades and intended to walk peacefully towards Delhi. They wanted to hold their demonstration in Jantar Mantar, but the government refused to listen.

“We only want to get our demands met, but if the government does not listen, then we are compelled. On one side are the farmers, on the other side are the ‘jawans’ (police and paramilitary). We do not want any violence. If the government indulges in ‘jabar’ (oppression), then people of the country will think whether such people should be in power or not,” Pandher stated.

Protesters are also seeking a farmer pension, debt relief, and the reinstatement of the 2013 Land Acquisition Act, among other demands.

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