The day the nation can’t ignore its food providers -Tractor-Day: Republic Day in its true sense -500 farmer unions and collectives are fighting for the repeal of three new farm laws

Narendra Modi government urged not to treat the protesting farmers as political opponents

Tricolour in hand, farmers ride a tractor in Jaipur on the eve of Republic Day.: (PTI picture)

Anita Joshua   |   TT   |   New Delhi   |    26.01.21 :  A day before tractors roll into the capital to celebrate “Republic Day in its true sense”, farmer leaders announced a march on foot to Parliament on February 1, signalling to the government and the protesters massed on Delhi’s borders that the struggle for their rights continues.

The farmers, who had marched to the capital to make themselves heard on November 26 — 71 years to the day “We, the People of India” gave to “ourselves” the Constitution that governs us — but found its gates slammed shut, will fittingly enter Delhi on the day the Constitution came into effect and made India a republic — a government where supreme power rests with the citizens.

“It will be a big event in Indian democracy. We will celebrate Republic Day in its true sense tomorrow,” farmer leader Darshan Pal said at a news conference of the Samyukta Kisan Morcha, the banner under which nearly 500 farmer unions and collectives are fighting for the repeal of three new farm laws and for a legally guaranteed minimum support price for crops.

On the evening before the Kisan Parade, the Morcha was working overtime to ensure it goes smoothly. Two farmer groups — the Bharatiya Kisan Union-Ekta (Ugrahan) and the Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee — were unhappy with the routes for the tractor rally, finalised by the Morcha in consultation with the police. 

Both insisted that the Kisan Parade should be conducted on the Outer Ring Road as originally planned. The police have not allowed that, restricting the rally to areas just inside the capital’s borders. 

The Ugrahan group, which has marshalled more protesters from Punjab than any other group, held out till evening but eventually came around.

But the Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee announced late on Monday evening that it would move towards Outer Ring Road at 8am on Tuesday. The panel, which is not part of the Morcha, has been charting its own course from the time the unions began their struggle in Punjab in June, when the farm ordinances were promulgated.

Before the protest moved to Delhi, the committee had defied the decision of the Punjab unions to lift their rail roko in that state.

In the afternoon, asked about the committee’s insistence on going its own way, Darshan Pal asked reporters to directly speak to the organisation but added that efforts were on to bring it around. 

The committee’s defiance has become a cause for concern because Delhi police are unlikely to allow the tractors to proceed towards Outer Ring Road, creating a possible flashpoint that could eclipse the whole movement. 

As always, the Morcha leadership stressed on Monday that it was the non-violent nature of the movement that was its most effective weapon.

Amid indications that came through social media posts that the youth were not happy with the compromise route, veteran farmer leader Balbir Singh Rajewal urged them to remain peaceful and be wary of rumours so that they were not provoked.

“The government is spreading rumours and agencies are trying to mislead. Be alert because it is clear that we will win if we remain peaceful. If we turn violent, Modi will win,” Rajewal said.

He urged the Narendra Modi government not to treat the protesting farmers as political opponents.

Refuelling the tractors has become an issue in Uttar Pradesh, with the state police allegedly instructing petrol pumps not to supply diesel to tractors or sell the fuel in bottles. Given the support the protest has among local residents, diesel tankers are being arranged to move along with the parade, as will at least 100 ambulances. 

Besides, langars are being set up along the route to provide food and water though all those participating have been urged to move with food supplies for at least 24 hours because it may take that long for them to return to their respective points of origin.

Given the enthusiasm for the tractor parade, the Morcha has decided to organise five such parades in Haryana and Rajasthan apart from the three that will enter Delhi from the Singhu, Tikri and Ghazipur borders that have seen the biggest mobilisations.

Although the no-objection certificate given to the Morcha for the parade specifies that 5,000 tractors and 5,000 people will be allowed to enter from each of the three borders, Darshan Pal said: “There is no limit.”

The police had not spoken of any limit on number during the discussions, suggesting only that trolleys be left out, to which the Morcha has agreed.