Why Punjab farmers are marching towards New Delhi | Explained

Farmers from Punjab began their 'Delhi Chalo' march after a massive face-off with Haryana police. Farmers’ protest is against the Centre's new farm laws which they say would pave the way for dismantling of the MSP system. They want the Centre to scrap its “black laws” which they say are not in the interest of the farming community.

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Why Punjab farmers are marching towards New Delhi | Explained
Vehicles stuck in a traffic jam as farmers eat their meal while sitting on GT Road during 'Delhi Chalo' protest march against the new farm laws, in Karnal. (PTI photo)

Thousands of Punjab farmers, most of them senior citizens, have come together in large numbers in continuation of their protest against the Centre's new farm laws.

Till date, at least 13 farmers have lost their lives during the two-month-long protest, which has been largely peaceful.

Punjab farmers, representing over 30 farm bodies, announced that on November 26 and 27, they would go towards Delhi through many routes, including Lalru, Shambhu, Patiala-Pehowa, Patran-Khanauri, Moonak-Tohana, Ratia-Fatehabad and Talwandi-Sirsa to protest against the new farm laws besides pushing for other demands. Farmers' Protest Live Updates

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Of these 31, 13 farmer unions have direct or indirect allegiance to communist parties. The rest are linked to Shiromani Akali Dal, Congress besides the mainstream farmer unions.

While the non-communist farmer unions had suggested that the new farm laws should be suitably amended, others were adamant on their demand to the Centre to drop the laws.

What are 5 major demands of farmers?

The biggest demand is a rollback of the three agri reform laws passed by the Parliament a few months back. The farmer unions say these rules are not in their favour and will promote privatisation of the agriculture and in turn benefitting hoarders and big corporate houses. They say these laws weaken future prospects.

Farmers’ second demand is a written assurance in the form of a bill that the MSP and conventional food grain procurement system for the central pool will continue in future.

The third major demand is that the Centre drops the electricity bill amendment. Farmer unions say if this legislation becomes a law, they will lose free power supply facility as this amendment will promote privatisation and discontinuation of free power supplied to farmers in Punjab.

The fourth demand is about a provision under which farmers responsible for burning farm residue can be imprisoned for five years besides fine up to Rs 1 crore.

The protesters also want the release of farmers arrested on charges of burning paddy stubble in Punjab.

The five demands show that protests are not just against the three agriculture laws but to push in other demands. Some farmer unions have also raised local issues and demanded that they be paid sugarcane prices at par with Haryana farmers.

Why has Union, Punjab government failed so far?

The NDA-led Union government failed to take concerted efforts to pacify protesting farmers. Two table talks between farmer union leaders and representatives of state and Centre were organised, but these remained inconclusive. Another round of talks has been scheduled on December 3, 2020.

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The Union government has refused the demand to repeal the farm laws. It was, however, agreed that a committee be set up to look into the demands made by farmer unions.

Of 31, 30 farmer unions lifted their protest from railway platforms, stations and tracks and had given a 15-day ultimatum to the Union government to repeal the 'anti farmer' laws. They threatened to resume protests on railway tracks after December 10 if their demands are not met. The stalemate continues.

The steps taken by the Punjab government after it passed three bills to negate the new law did calm some nerves. Punjab farmer unions say they are, however, aware that the legislature proposed by the state government may not become a reality as the bills await President’s assent.

Amid this uncertainty, efforts of the Centre and Punjab government have failed to woo the farmers. They are now out on the roads and marching towards the national capital in their attempt to be heard.

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