Samyukta Kisan Morcha calls for a 'Delhi Chalo' protest on February 26, accompanied by 15 precursor 'Kisan Mahapanchayats' and seven key demands, highlighting ongoing grievances and concerns over democratic values.
The Samyukta Kisan Morcha, a non-political farmers' outfit, has declared a "Delhi Chalo" protest on February 26, accompanied by seven key demands. Leading up to this, the organization plans to conduct 15 additional "Kisan Mahapanchayats" across the country in the next six weeks, as reported by PTI.
Six mega conclaves have already taken place in various regions, including Indore, Bhubaneswar, Ludhiana, Moga, Palakkad, Chennai, and Bengaluru over the past 15 days. Emphasizing the importance of protecting democratic and secular values, the farmer leaders expressed concern over the recent suspension of opposition MPs and alleged governmental interference with Olympian Wrestlers.
The prominent leaders present at the announcement included figures from different states such as Kuruburu Shanthakumar, Jagjeet Singh Dallewal, KV Biju, Abhimanyu Kohar, Lakhwinder Singh Aulakh, Sachin Mohapatra, Arun Sinha, Ravidutt Singh, Shankar Darekar, Narayan Reddy, Basavraj Patil, and Deva Kumar.
The key demands outlined for the "Delhi Chalo" movement include a guaranteed Minimum Support Price (MSP) based on the C2+50 per cent formula, debt relief for all farmers, withdrawal of state land acquisition laws modeled on the Land Acquisition Act 2015, and implementation of the Land Acquisition Act 2013 with farmer consent and adequate compensation.
Other demands encompass an increase in import duties on agricultural products, withdrawal from the WTO, cancellation of Free Trade Agreements, opposition to privatization in electricity boards, and the reservation of agriculture and retail for small enterprises. The farmers are also calling for a ban on FDI in agriculture and all retail formats, including e-commerce, as well as measures to prevent corporatization of agriculture and retail trade. They are advocating for an increase in farmers' pensions to Rs 5,000 per month.
The leaders highlighted that despite an agreement with the Ministry of Agriculture on December 9, 2021, the government has not fulfilled its promises. Cases against farmers remain unresolved in various states, compensation for injured protesters is pending, and justice for the Lakhimpur Kheri massacre victims, including the arrest of Union Minister Ajay Mishra Teni, is still awaited.
In their statement, the farmers' leaders accused the government of persistently implementing anti-farmer policies, such as engaging in Free Trade Agreements and collaborating with corporate entities for digitalization projects, despite widespread protests against the agricultural laws aimed at resisting corporatization.