New Delhi: The protesting farmers have decided to press on with their march towards Delhi while also scheduling another round of discussions for Sunday. This determination emerged from a third round of talks held late last night, even as anticipation mounts for a nationwide strike on Friday concerning the farmers’ grievances.
The meeting convened in Chandigarh unfolded against the backdrop of a tense standoff at the Punjab-Haryana borders. Here, thousands of farmers en route to Delhi encountered resistance from law enforcement, who employed tear gas and water cannons. The demonstrators’ primary demands revolve around securing legislation ensuring a minimum support price (MSP) for crops and the rescinding of farm laws, among other grievances.
In attendance at the meeting were two Union Ministers, Arjun Munda and Piyush Goyal, alongside Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. Post-discussion, Arjun Munda, Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, informed the press that the matters would be extensively deliberated upon during Sunday’s meeting, aiming for a resolution.
Bhagwant Mann expressed optimism, citing constructive dialogues and agreement on various fronts. He highlighted the farmers’ commitment to maintaining peace throughout their protests while levelling accusations against the Haryana government for intervening in Punjab affairs during the confrontation.
Farmers reiterated their intent to continue marching towards Delhi, emphasizing that no definitive conclusions could be drawn as talks remain ongoing. Additionally, they raised concerns regarding police actions against them and the censorship of their social media accounts.
Regarding the government’s request for further discussions on MSP and farm loan waivers, farmer leader Sarwan Pandher stressed the importance of progressing beyond deliberations to concrete solutions. “We said that we should not just keep discussing the issues, we should also find solutions. They said they need time,” Pandher remarked.
In anticipation of the ‘Bharat Bandh’ called by the Samyukt Kisan Morcha and Central Trade Unions, gatherings have been prohibited in Noida. While these organizations are distinct from the ‘Delhi Chalo’ march, their demands largely align. They have urged farmers to halt all agricultural activities between 6 am and 4 pm on Friday and to stage road blockades nationwide. Additionally, senior leaders from nine Central Trade Unions plan to convene at Jantar Mantar to protest over 21 demands, including legislation on MSP, minimum pension, and minimum wage.
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