Sanyukta Kisan Morcha thanked farmers who participated in the Kisan Ganatantra Parade on January 26, 2021 while following the designated route from each protest point and upholding the peaceful notion of the farmers’ struggle.
Farmers stated that participants followed and completed their respective routes from Singhu border, Tikri border, Ghazipur border and other protest points although the Ghazipur parade split into two groups one of which headed towards the Red Fort. Farmer leaders said that anti-social elements were responsible for the chaos that ensued thereafter.
The redirection of farmers towards ITO area in Delhi resulted in the death of a farmer riding a tractor. The body was covered by the nation flag as farmers surrounded the deceased protester and mourned his death. Farmers also claimed that police were responsible for splitting the Ghazipur parade into two groups.
Similarly, Punjab farmer leader Akshdeep was also injured in police firing. According to reports, his condition is serious.
While Delhi farmers dealt with these series of unfortunate events, Shahjahanpur parade continued without incident. Large number of farmers from Maharashtra including women farmers participated in the march to Manesar and back.
Similarly, trade Unions in Maharashtra, started a bike rally along from Shalimar Chowk and along the city road. Trade Unions such as the New Trade Union Initiative (NTUI), the All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS), the All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) and the Ghantagaadi Sanghatana participated in the protest to denounce the three farm laws and supporter farmers in the repeal of these laws.
Meanwhile in Bengaluru, farmers from across Karnataka travelled towards the state capital to hold a tractor march on Republic Day. Nearly 20,000 people paraded towards Freedom Park with 125 tractors as part of the march.
According to Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha (KRRS) Vice President G. T. Ramaswamy, city police refused to allow any more tractors inside Bengaluru even though thousands of tractors were stopped along highways leading to the city. Nonetheless, pedestrians, two wheelers and hundreds of cars were allowed to participate in the parade.
Protesters will hold a public meeting in the evening when around 20 speakers from various trade unions, Dalit groups and women’s organisations will address farmers who had travelled to urban Karnataka.
In Bihar, Patna and Darbhanga also witnessed a large number of farmers come out on the streets in solidarity with farmers’ struggle.
Meanwhile activist Medha Patkar joined the Shramik Janata Sangh Pithampur in Madhya Pradesh to demand the rights of farmers and peasants.
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