Hundreds of farmers from Punjab are making their way to Delhi for Thursday’s “Kisan Mazdoor Mahapanchayat” at Ramlila Maidan. Organized by the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM), the umbrella body of 37 farm unions, the event has received clearance from Delhi Police and the municipal corporation.
While the police have allowed the gathering with a cap of 5,000 attendees, the SKM anticipates over 30,000 farmers from Punjab alone. This comes amidst ongoing sit-ins by other farmer unions at Shambhu and Khanauri on the Punjab-Haryana border, emphasizing the persistent agitation against agricultural laws.
The “mahapanchayat” aims to address key farmer demands, including legal status for Minimum Support Price (MSP), implementation of Swaminathan Commission’s recommendations, farmer pensions, debt waivers, and opposition to what they term as “pro-corporate, communal, dictatorial policies” of the Modi government.
The SKM’s solidarity with splinter groups underscores the unified stance against perceived threats to farming, food security, and livelihood. The event symbolizes farmers’ resolve to intensify their struggle, as articulated through the adoption of a ‘Sankalp Patra’ or ‘letter of resolution.’
As Delhi braces for the influx of protesters, the police have issued a traffic advisory, urging commuters to avoid central Delhi routes. The “Kisan Mazdoor Mahapanchayat” is poised to amplify the voice of dissent against agricultural policies, reflecting the ongoing agitation’s strength and determination.
