Kisan Parade | SabrangIndia

Come, stand with India’s annadaatas!

Mon, 25 Jan 2021 14:22:14 +0000

Image Courtesy:onmanorama.com

The Delhi Welcome Committee for Kisan Parade on January 25, 2021 requested all Delhi citizens to come out overwhelmingly in support of farmers who protect India’s food security, and stand against corporate cronies and anti-farmer Acts of the central government.

Speaking on behalf of the Committee, farmer leader Navnit Tiwari invited the people of India to participate in parades that will be held in all states and districts.

“Thousands and thousands of tractors will also be entering into Delhi along the designated routes without disrupting any official function,” he said in a press release.

The Kisan Parade on January 26, 2021 will mark the first time since independence that farmers’ march in a unique parade with national flags. Farmers have been protesting peacefully the three laws and the Electricity (Amendment) Bill 2020 that threaten agriculture and facilitate corporate profiteering at the expense of farmers, said the Committee.

Meanwhile, Delhi Police gave a ‘No Objection Certificate’ (NOC) to farm leaders for the tractor march on Republic Day. However, it said that only 5,000 tractors and 5,000 participants are allowed. The rally will start at 12 PM and go on till 5 PM on Tuesday. According to reports, 25,000 tractors are also lining up at Singhu, Tikri and Ghazipur borders.

The struggle has been going on for the last eight months and is only growing in strength day by day. The Central Trade Unions, Nation for Farmers, different class and mass organisations as well as people from different walks of life have come wholeheartedly in support of the peaceful struggle.

In the last two months lakhs of farmers have demanded the repeal of the anti-farmer Acts – 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 – and demanding assured remunerative Minimum Support Price (MSP) for their produce. More than 150 farmers have become martyrs in this struggle, said farmer leaders.

Five separate parades will be carried out along Delhi borders from the Singhu border, Tikri border, Ghazipur border, Chilla border and Dhasa border. Two such parade routes may be viewed below:

Similarly, along the Haryana-Rajasthan border, parades will be carried out from the Shahjahanpur border, the Palwal border, the Masani Barrage in Rewari district and inside Mewat city.

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Farmers chart route, issue guidelines for Republic Day Parade

Mon, 25 Jan 2021 06:31:45 +0000

Image Courtesy:financialexpress.com

“Friends, we are about to make history. Never before in history have the people of this Republic been part of a parade of this nature on the Republic Day. Through this parade we have to tell the country and the world about our plight. We have to bring forth the truth about the three Anti-Farmer Laws. We’ve to take care that this historical parade is not stained at any cost. Our victory lies in the parade being taken out in a very peaceful manner; without any unwanted events taking place. Remember, that our aim is not to conquer Delhi, but to win over the hearts of the people of this country,” is a message by farmers organisation Sanyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) circulated on social media on January 24, 2021 during preparations for the Kisan Parade on Republic Day.

Resolving to keep the movement peaceful and organised, the SKM released a list of instructions along with this message to prepare farmers for the much-awaited event. Farmers also gave a helpline number 7428384230 in case of any confusion in any area. Farmer leaders also clarified that trolleys will not be allowed in the parade. Only tractors and other vehicles will be allowed although trolleys with special tableaux may be exempted. They asked farmers to arrange for the safety of the trolley from the back.

The SKM appealed that every tractor or cart be fitted with its respective farmers’ organisation flag and national flag. However, they said that no flag of any political party will be allowed.

“Pack 24 hours of ration and water with you. Make sure you have proper arrangements for protection from cold. It might be required if you are stuck in a traffic jam,” said the organisation.

They emphasised that participants should not carry any weapons or sticks and refrain from using banners that use provocative or negative slogans. On the other hand, aspiring participants may give a missed call on the 8448385556 phone number to join the parade.

The parade will be led by farmer leaders’ cars while volunteers dressed in green will oversee the procession.

“The route for the parade has been pre-decided and marked. Police and traffic volunteers will guide you. Any car/tractor found deviating from the route will be acted against,” said farmer leaders.

Five separate parades will be carried out along Delhi borders from the Singhu border, Tikri border, Ghazipur border, Chilla border and Dhasa border. Two such parade routes may be viewed below:

Similarly, along the Haryana-Rajasthan border, parades will be carried out from the Shahjahanpur border, the Palwal border, the Masani Barrage in Rewari district and inside Mewat city.

Any vehicle that occupies an area without any reason will be removed by volunteers. Meanwhile, other vehicles will return to the starting point after completing the parade. As many as five people including the driver will ride one tractor but not on the bonnet, bumper or roof of tractors.

Leaders also asked people to avoid playing music. Instead they asked people to ensure they hear all announcements to avoid confusion. Accordingly, they asked people not to throw garbage on the road and avoid the use of any drugs before or during the parade. The SKM said that anyone found in possession of or consuming drugs will be reported to the traffic volunteer.

“Please remember that our intent is to gracefully carry out the parade and win the hearts of our fellow citizens. The policemen are also part of us, we must not indulge in any quarrels. Representatives of all news channels must be respected,” said farmer leaders.

To avoid any kind of panic, the Kisan Ekta Morcha issued emergency guidelines that asked participants to verify all information via their Facebook page.

Ambulances will be in the vicinity of the parade. In case of any issue with the vehicle, leaders asked people to contact the helpline number that will be open 24 hours on Tuesday. Similarly, the police control room will be available at number 112 in case of any unfortunate incident.

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Kisan Parade will showcase floats and tableaus reflecting state of agriculture: SKM

Mon, 18 Jan 2021 07:36:12 +0000

Image Courtesy:businesstoday.in

The Kisan Parade will be peaceful and will not disrupt the official Republic Day Parade, said the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) while detailing the proceedings of the event on January 17, 2021.

The farmers’ parade will take place on the Outer Ring Road. Parade vehicles will consist of tableaus and floats that will reflect the agricultural reality of different states and showcase historical regional and other movements. The SKM emphasised that no national heritage sites, or to any other site will be threatened.

“No anti-social elements will be allowed to infiltrate this,” said SKM leaders, urging Haryana and Delhi Police to cooperate.

All vehicles will fly India’s national flag and the flag of the farmer organisation that members are affiliated with. No political party flags will be allowed.

Families of martyr farmers of the agitation, awarded defence services personnel, awarded sportspersons, women farmers are also expected to participate in the event that hopes to include many representatives of different states.

Farmers who cannot come to Delhi will organise their own parades at state capitals and district headquarters with the same norms around discipline and peace, said SKM leaders. Members appealed to all citizens to come forward and express their support and solidarity, and watch the parade.

Regarding talks with the central government on January 19, farmer leaders stated that they will continue talks in good faith despite the unconducive atmosphere created by the Agriculture Minister’s statement on January 17, asking farmers to give up their “stubborn” stand on the new laws.

“With immense pain, we are informing you that every day many farmers are separating from us. So far 131 farmers have been martyred in this movement. SKM pays homage to these individuals and stands with their families,” said farmer leaders.

They announced an “akhand jyoti” for martyred farmers in coming days. January 18 will be celebrated as Women Farmers Day to honour women’s incomparable role in agriculture and exercising women’s agency in protests.

“In every sphere, women will be managing the stage and all the speakers on this day will be women. Other cultural programs will also be organised, showcasing the contribution of women,” they said.

Later, for January 20 Prakash Parab of Guru Gobind Singh, farmers requested people across the world to take a pledge to make this movement successful.

To participate in future protests at Delhi borders, a large contingent of farmers has left for the capital city from Odisha as part of Navanirman Krushak Sanghatan, reaching Jharkhand on Sunday. Similarly, hundreds of Adivasi farmers from Maharashtra, mostly women, reached Delhi and moved to Shahjahanpur.

On the same day, several farmer leaders of Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha(KRRS) in Belagavi, Karnataka got arrested during a protest organised on the occasion of Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s visit.

Meanwhile, the SKM strongly condemned the use of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) against many farmers’ movement supporters and even unconnected service providers like transporters and others. Leaders said that many people in Punjab had cases registered against them in addition to summons for questioning. They claimed that the central government initiated these cases despite giving assurances in the last meeting.

Regarding on-going programmes, the SKM appealed to people across the nation to boycott corporate house products, especially those from Ambani and Adani industries.

“We appeal to people to expose the reality of BJP and its allies of NDA by opposing them in every sphere,” they said.

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