Shambhu Border, Punjab: After a brief pause, the ongoing farmers’ protest is set to intensify as a group of 101 farmers will resume their foot march to Delhi from the Shambhu border on December 14, 2024. The protestors are demanding legal guarantees for Minimum Support Price (MSP), debt waivers, and the fulfillment of promises made by the government during previous agitations.
Key Demands of the Farmers
1.MSP Law: Farmers are demanding a legally binding guarantee for MSP on 23 crops. Currently, only rice and wheat have assured procurement at MSP.
2.Debt Relief: With rising debt-related farmer suicides, they are pressing for complete debt waivers and better financial aid.
3.Promise of Doubling Incomes: The central government’s unfulfilled promise to double farmers’ incomes by 2022 remains a sticking point.
Protest Details
The marchers will cover several kilometers each day, heading towards Delhi’s Ramlila Maidan, where a massive rally is planned. The protest is backed by multiple farmer unions, who have accused the government of failing to meet their demands after the repeal of the controversial farm laws in 2021.
To prevent the protest from gaining momentum, the Haryana government has:
•Deployed heavy police forces along the protest route.
•Suspended mobile internet services in several areas to curb the spread of misinformation.
Political Reactions
The Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM), an umbrella organization of farmer unions, stated, “The government has made promises but has failed to act. Our livelihoods are at stake, and we won’t back down until we secure legal protections for MSP.”
Opposition parties, including the Congress and the AAP, have expressed solidarity with the farmers, accusing the BJP-led central government of being indifferent to their plight.
Impact on Punjab
Farmers in Punjab are at the forefront of the protest, as agriculture is the backbone of the state’s economy. With input costs rising and crop prices stagnating, many farmers are trapped in cycles of debt.
•Farmer Suicides: Punjab continues to witness a high rate of farmer suicides, largely attributed to debt burdens.
•Economic Strain: The lack of MSP for crops other than wheat and rice forces farmers to sell produce at a loss in the open market.
Public Support and Viral Trends
Social media platforms like Twitter and Instagram have been flooded with hashtags such as #FarmersMarchToDelhi, #MSPLawNow, and #SupportFarmers. Videos of protestors walking with placards and slogans like “No Farmers, No Food” are gaining traction, rallying widespread public support.
Conclusion
As farmers march towards Delhi once again, the movement has reignited debates on agricultural reforms in India. With their livelihoods at stake, the protesting farmers are determined to achieve their demands, making this a critical moment for the central government to address their grievances.
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