Farmers' Protest Live Updates
The farmers' protest against farm laws in Punjab gains momentum as the situation unfolds each passing day, with key developments shaping up the course of the agitation. Today is the 22nd day of the indefinite hunger strike by farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal; his health is deteriorating rapidly. Farmers are busy making preparations for a "major protest", including a "Rail Roko" movement, scheduled to begin at 12 PM today.
Farmers reject Supreme Court committee, demand direct talks with Central Government: At Khanauri border, farmers, under the leadership of Sarwan Singh Pandher, made it clear that they would not be meeting with the Supreme Court-appointed committee. Pandher criticized the committee for its failure to resolve the issues in a timely manner. He asserted that henceforth, negotiations would only take place with the central government and not with any committee.
Condemning the committee for being insensitive to the ongoing hunger strike and injured farmers, convener of the Samyukta Kisan Morcha Jagjit Singh Dallewal confirmed that a decision not to engage with the committee had been made by both the farmer unions protesting, reiterating their demands can only be met directly with the central government.
AAP MP Raises Alarm Over Dallewal's Health
As the protest is in full swing, Aam Aadmi Party MP Malvinder Singh Kang moved an adjournment motion in the Lok Sabha over the deteriorating health of Jagjit Singh Dallewal. Dallewal has been on fast for more than three weeks. His deteriorating health has sent alarm bells ringing among his fellow political leaders. Earlier, Congress MP Manickam Tagore raised the issue, saying immediate intervention is needed as the farmer leader's condition has turned critical.
"Rail Roko Andolan" to Intensify Protests
Sarwan Singh Pandher, the General Secretary of the Punjab Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee, announced the next phase of the farmers' protests. Farmers will stop trains in Punjab today at 12 PM as part of "Rail Roko Andolan" that will continue until 3 PM. The protest will take place at all major rail crossings and stations across the region, and notable public figures like singer Guru Randhawa have joined in support.
Pandher also spoke of the serious problems faced by farmers, including the shocking figure of approximately 50 farmer laborers committing suicide every day because of the economic burden of the crisis in farming. Besides this, he shared with them the colossal economic losses farmers have suffered: Rs 15 lakh crore in 2022 and Rs 8.5 lakh crore in 2023, mostly due to not receiving MSP for their produce.
BJP Leaders Not to Be Allowed to Enter Punjab
Pandher announced that BJP leaders would not be allowed to enter Punjab as their way to adopt a tough stance against the Central government over the handling of the current issues of the farmers. He called for a peaceful yet strong protest. The farmer leader again reiterated that they were determined about their agitation and would be treated fairly for their just cause.
Conclusion
The farmers' movement is nowhere in the mood to let down the steam as the protest is gradually growing. Today's "Rail Roko" and ongoing hunger strikes just prove that the situation remains grim in Punjab. As the farmers have refused to engage with the Supreme Court-appointed committee and instead demanded to talk directly with the central government, it's just evident that they would have their issues addressed. The growing support from political figures and the public further strengthens the resolve of the farmers as they fight for their rights.
Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story as the farmers' protest in Punjab continues to unfold.