100 days of farmers’ struggle: Agitation evolves and grows stronger

Marking 100 days of farmers’ struggle in India, peasants flooded the KMP highway on March 6, 2021 to observe a five-hour blockade and commemorate what the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) calls “the world’s largest, peaceful protests were started by Indian farmers.”

Around 4,000 to 5,000 farmers assembled in every protest point along the highway such as Palwal, Shahjahanpur, Manesar, Tikri, Singhu, said SKM spokesperson Paramjeet Singh Katyal. Particularly, in Bahadurgarh where Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU-Ekta Dakaunda) leader Jagmohan Singh led farmers, people gathered in thousands of numbers. Women farmers comprised a large part of Saturday’s protest, as can be seen from the following photos of Kundli plaza.

The blockade went on from 11 AM. All toll plazas along the way were freed from collecting fees.

Meanwhile, those farmers who could not participate in the agitation showed solidarity by waving black flags and wearing black bands. This call was roundly answered by Lok Sangharsh Morcha farmers in Maharashtra and Gujarat.

More than 175 villages displayed black flags outside their houses to decry the three laws forcibly passed by the central government – the Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance & Farm Services Act, the Farmer’s Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, and the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act – as well as the treatment of protesting farmers.

Meanwhile, in Ballari district of Karnataka, farmers continue their MSP Dilao Abhiyan where they question why market prices fail to meet the Minimum Support Prices (MSP) assured by the Centre. SKM leader Yogendra Yadav addressed the assembled farmers on Saturday to talk to them about the need for legalisation of MSP.

Similarly, Chhatarpur farmers in Madhya Pradesh have been observing a sit-in strike for nearly 88 days, even though police and administration didn’t sanction tents in the area nor provide any assistance. Mahapanchayats also continue as usual, with the most recent observed on March 3 and 4 in Chhatarpur district.