Ahead of a meeting with a Centre panel, farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher emphasized on Thursday the importance of the prime minister engaging with three visiting Union ministers to address farmers’ concerns.
Ministers Arjun Munda (Agriculture and Farmer Welfare), Piyush Goyal (Commerce and Industry), and Nityanand Rai (Minister of State for Home Affairs) are scheduled to meet farmer leaders at 5 pm to discuss various demands, including a law guaranteeing Minimum Support Price (MSP) for crops.
Speaking at the Shambhu border, Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee general secretary Pandher stressed that the farmers’ demands should be acknowledged.
“We want the prime minister to directly engage with the visiting ministers’ delegation and address the farmers’ demands,” he stated.
Pandher insisted, “Either our demands are met, or we continue our peaceful protest.”
Addressing the use of force against farmers by Haryana authorities’ security personnel at the Punjab-Haryana border, Pandher criticized the deployment of paramilitary forces, highlighting injuries sustained by many farmers. He displayed tear gas shells allegedly used against them.
Despite these challenges, Pandher affirmed that farmer leaders were committed to engaging in dialogue with the Union ministers.
Regarding the suspension of mobile internet services, Pandher criticized the government’s actions, likening them to tactics used in Manipur, which, he alleged, aimed to suppress the farmers’ movement.
The ‘Delhi Chalo’ agitation, led by the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha, aims to pressure the Centre for various demands, including a law guaranteeing MSP, implementation of Swaminathan Commission’s recommendations, pensions for farmers, and justice for victims of the Lakhimpur Kheri violence.
Farmers from Punjab have gathered at the Shambhu and Khanauri borders as part of the ‘Delhi Chalo’ call, demanding reforms and support for the agricultural sector.