Farmers’ Protest 2.0: Protest Activities & State Govt. Offers

After the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) meeting on 22 Feb, they announced the following programs: 23 Feb as a nationwide Akrosh Diwas (Anger Day), during which they have urged people to put up black flags to condemn the Haryana police action on 21 Feb. 26 Feb as a Tractor Demonstration in which farmers all over India would drive up to the nearest highway and park their tractors facing Delhi. The demand was that India pull out of the World Trade Organization Agreement on Agriculture. 14 Mar as a Mahapanchayat (large gathering) of farmers, workers, youth, women, and tribals at Ram Lila Maidan, New Delhi. Akrosh Diwas and Tractor Demonstration were well-attended in North India. By the time of the Mahapanchayat, general elections would be announced and the Election Code of Conduct would be implemented, during which the security forces have an even freer hand than usual and can restrict civilian movement. It remains to be seen how SKM negotiates that hurdle. The Farmers' Protest is weighed down because the three groups – Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM), Samyukt Kisan Morcha Non-Political (SKM NP), and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM) – are not together. While this time the barricades on the Panjab and Haryana inter-state border are far greater, a much larger force is deployed, the farmers also stand blocked because the Haryana-based Bhartiya Kisan Union Chaduni is not part of the Chalo Dilli (March to Delhi) call. In 2020-21 the Haryana farmers paved the way for Panjab farmers to reach Delhi. SKM has formed a panel to talk to SKM NP and KMM to assess how they can draw out a common program. Meanwhile, the Haryana government has announced a waiver of farm loan interests. The Uttar Pradesh government has increased the MSP for sugarcane. These offers do little to assuage farmers.