Farmers to Stage New Protests: Effigies on Fire on Jan 10, Draft Copies on Jan 13, Tractor Marches on Jan 26

Ferozepur (The Uttam Hindu): The farmers' protest has now entered its 329th day with farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal on his 44th day of a hunger strike demanding a legal guarantee for the Minimum Support Price (MSP). Farmers have accused the Indian government of being unyielding and ignoring their concerns while the opposition is focused on electoral gains in Delhi.

Sarwan Singh Pandher a key farmer leader from Punjab announced a series of planned actions under the joint forums of Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM) and Samyukt Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) [SKM(NP)]. These include effigy burnings of the Modi government on January 10 burning copies of the draft legislation that would privatize agriculture on January 13 and organizing tractor marches across villages on January 26.

Pandher urged farmers across the country to join the movement stressing the need for unity in pushing for demands such as MSP legislation loan waivers and 200 days of guaranteed work under NREGA for laborers. He also called for the introduction of a fifth reserved category for tribal communities.

Pandher acknowledged the threat posed by the new HMPV virus drawing parallels to the previous COVID-19 pandemic that coincided with the protests against the farm laws and advised participants to take health precautions. He warned the government that any harm to Dallewal would intensify the situation urging immediate action to address farmers' demands.

Former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal held the BJP responsible for Dallewal's deteriorating health saying, "If something happens to Jagjit Singh Dallewal the entire responsibility will rest with the BJP." Kejriwal called on the Centre to reconsider its rigid stance stating, "Problems can only be solved through dialogue, not confrontation."

The ongoing protests continue to highlight Punjab's vital role in the country's food supply while demanding justice for farmers and laborers.