Farmers chart out January protest plans with a tractor march, Mahila Kisan Diwas and more!

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After a warm celebration to usher in the new year, farmers resolved to continue braving the biting cold to oppose the three anti-farmer laws of the Centre, by setting forward a new plan of action for January 2021.

January 1, 2021 also marked Day 37 of the nationwide farmers’ struggle. Many people answered the Samyukta Kisan Morcha’s (SKM) appeal to celebrate the New Year with farmers, especially at various Delhi borders. Protesters in thousands of locations across India took a pledge to participate and support the farmers’ movement.

The group, Delhi For Farmers, undertook protests in different parts of Delhi from 8 AM to late evening in support of farmers. People welcomed 2021 with great pomp at the Singhu border.

Farmers from Barnala reached the Tikri border by driving their tractor backwards. Ex-servicepersons extended solidarity to farmers at the Ghazipur border and ensured cooperation with farmers who celebrated the New Year by organising a massive cleaning drive. Similarly, a large number of Buddhist monks travelled to the protest point in support of farmers.

Friday also observed a strong march of over 3,000 women of the All India Janwadi Mahila Sanghatana from Talasari and Dahanu talukas of Thane-Palghar district in Maharashtra at the Dahanu provincial office.-dd

Further, the SKM declared a tentative plan for the new month subject to the proceedings of Centre-and-farmer-talks on January 4. The general schedule for the week will be confirmed during a press conference on January 2 at 12:30 PM at the Press Club, New Delhi.

Farmer leaders said that a tractor march will be observed along the Kundli Manesar Palwal (KMP) highway on January 6.

“We want to make it clear that the proposed tractor march of farmers on the KMP highway has not been cancelled but postponed. The tractor march will now happen on January 6,” said the SKM in a press note.

A Desh Jagruti Abhiyan will be observed for a fortnight from January 7 to January 20 wherein district-level dharnas, rallies, press conferences will be held across India. During this time Mahila Kisan Diwas will also be celebrated on January 18 along with a ‘Pakka Morcha’ in Wardha city of Maharashtra.

On January 23, the birth anniversary of Subhash Chandra Bose, farmers will observe a Kisan Chetna Diwas. Leaders had previously announced that if demands are not met by January 26, farmers carrying the tricolour flag will march towards Delhi. Protesters at the Shahjahanpur border will also follow suit.

The SKM reiterated that ongoing agitations such as the boycott of Adani/Ambani products and services, toll-free movements in Punjab and Haryana and the demand that National Democratic Alliance (NDA) allies quit NDA and leave partnership with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will continue.

Acknowledging the Kerala Assembly’s unanimous resolution to demand accession of farmers’ demands from the Union government, the SKM thanked the state government for supporting farmers in their opposition to the Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance & Farm Services Act, the Farmer’s Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act and the Electricity Bill 2020.