27 Nov , 2021 By : monika singh
The Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) will decide on the further course of the farmers' agitation at a meeting on Saturday. Following an appeal from the umbrella body of the protesting farmer unions, farmers from Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and other states gathered at the protest sites of Singhu, Tikri and Ghazipur borders in Delhi on Friday.
The occasion was the completion of one year of farmers' agitation against the Centre's new farm laws and several programmes were organised at the protest sites. Farmer leaders termed the repeal of three farm laws "half the victory" and vowed to continue the stir till the government brings a law to guarantee a minimum support price (MSP) for crops.
"MSP guarantee had been the main issue of farmers even before these farm laws were brought by the government. It was also part of our demands when talks were held with the government," Bhartiya Kisan Union (BKU) leader Rakesh Tikait told ET. "Now the government will try to give a bad name to us saying they have taken back the laws and the farmers should return back. But we will be here till the government promises a law on MSP guarantee. Even PM Modi approved of it when he was Gujarat chief minister.
Tikait said the government should form a committee and initiate talks with farmers on further issues.
The SKM also demanded compensation for the families of farmers who died during the agitation, and withdrawal of all the criminal cases lodged against the protesting farmers.
"Over the past one year, farmers have fought the battle with non-violence and unity as their main weapon, and it forced the government to take back three farm laws. But our struggle will continue," said Gurunam Singh Chadhuni, president of BKU Chadhuni.
The SKM will hold a meeting on Saturday at Singhu border, where leaders of all the farmer unions part of the agitation will participate.
A tractor march to Parliament has been planned by the SKM on November 29, the first day of the winter session of Parliament.
"Thirty tractors with 500 people will move towards Parliament from any Delhi border which is open," said Tikait.
On Sunday, farmer leaders will travel to Mumbai to take part in a kisan mazdoor mahapanchayat or gathering of farmers and labourers.
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