A “Jathha” of 101 farmers said they had the “right” to travel to the nation’s capital and protest, and they resumed their “Delhi Chalo” protest march on Saturday from the Shambhu border in Haryana. Farmers’ leaders said they are waiting for discussions with the central government as their protest enters its 307th day, and they are urging the public to support their campaign countrywide.
Sarwan Singh Pandher, the leader of the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM), also charged that union agriculture minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Prime Minister Narendra Modi had kept quiet about the matter and were avoiding it. “The Union Agriculture Minister has not been speaking about the protest either and the way BJP MPs are doing ‘bayanbazi’ is going to cause division in communities. The government agencies are trying their best to ensure that the ‘morcha’ does not win. They are trying to prove that even if all of Punjab and Haryana come together, even then the morcha cannot win,” alleged. According to him, the farmers hope to demonstrate how the united efforts of common people may have a significant impact on changing the laws and government of the country.
Farmers should obtain the necessary authorisation if they wish to visit the nation’s capital, the Ambala Superintendent of Police (SP) advised. “Once you get the permission, we will allow you to go. There was a hearing in the Supreme Court yesterday…Instructions have been given to hold a meeting…The next date of the meeting is December 18. We appeal to you to sit here peacefully and follow the rules,” the SP added. Police had to use water cannons and tear gas to scatter the farmers because they refused to stop their march.
Roads at the Shambhu and Khanauri borders have been blocked by farmers’ escalating demonstrations. Farmers have been steadfast in their protest and have set up temporary camps at the borders despite the severe weather. In addition to a legal guarantee of the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for crops, farmers are calling for “justice” for the victims of the Lakhimpur Kheri violence in 2021, a debt waiver, a pension for farmers and farm workers, no increases in power rates, and the removal of police prosecutions.
On Friday, the Supreme Court requested that Punjab and the Centre make sure that farmer Jagjit Singh Dallewal, the leader of Samyukta Kisan Morcha, receives the medical assistance he needs. Dallewal has been fasting to death at the Khanauri border since November 26. Justices Surya Kant and Ujjal Bhuyan, who make up a top court panel, urged officials to speak with Dallewal directly, stating that “his life is more precious than any agitation.” Notably, before the protest march resumes, strict security has also been put in place around the border.
The Haryana government on Saturday suspended bulk SMS and mobile internet connections in 12 Ambala villages in an effort to preserve “public peace” only hours before farmers resumed their “Delhi Chalo” protest.
According to an order issued by Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Sumita Misra, the services would be suspended until December 17.
“It has been brought to my notice by additional director general of police, CID, Haryana and deputy commissioner, Ambala that in view of the call for Delhi Kooch given by certain farmers’ organisations, there is an apprehension of causing tension, annoyance, agitation, damage of public and private property and disturbance of public peace and tranquillity in the area of districts Ambala,” the order said.
In Ambala’s Dangdehri, Lehgarh, Manakpur, Dadiyana, Bari Ghel, Choti Ghel, Lharsa, Kalu Majra, Devi Nagar (Hira Nagar, Naresh Vihar), Saddopur, Sultanpur, and Kakru villages, mobile internet services are not available. According to the statement, the suspension will be in effect from 6 a.m. on December 14 until 11:59 p.m. on December 17. Public utilities could be disrupted, public assets and services could be damaged, and public law and order in the district could be disturbed, according to the notification issued on Saturday.
“In order to stop the spread of misinformation and rumours through various social media platforms, such as WhatsApp, Facebook Twitter on mobile phones and SMS, for facilitation and mobilisation of mobs of agitators and demonstrators who can cause serious loss of life and damage to public and private properties by indulging in arson or vandalism and other types of violent activities,” the order read.
