100 Days of Farmer’s Protest: 19 Lives Lost So Far; Major Road Blockade Planned for Today

New Delhi:  Farmer’s agitation in India has entered into day 100 which witnessed lots of hue and cry and invited international attention. So far, nineteen farmers have lost their lives in this journey of agitation against the center’s new farm laws over the past two months.

Moreover, union leaders have asserted that their movement is far from over and they are "going strong". The movement which was started from the month of September after the center introduced new farm laws to the nation has created sensation even among the international media and Hollywood personalities.

This marathon movement has actually taught many things to people and it’s sending a message of unity, bravery and patience. From surviving Delhi’s chilling cold to teer gas and Lathi charge of Police, these farmers are standing as rock in their decision of not moving from their demand of repealing new agricultural laws.

Despite several rounds of talks between the government and the farmer unions, this agitation has failed to reach an agreement to clear things from the both sides. While center is stick on their decision, farmer’s unions are saying they are more firm on their right of getting MSP.

Hollywood singer Rihanna, environmentalist Greta Thunberg also came into the limelight for highlighting this prolonged issue at the international level.

Thunberg tweeted shortly after a news story was posted by singer Rihanna detailing the Center's crackdown on farmers in several regions by cutting off internet connectivity. 'Why aren't we speaking about this? #FarmersProtest,’ tweeted Rihanna. 

The three Delhi border points at Singhu, Tikri and Ghazipur have transformed into townships for over three months, occupied by thousands of farmers from different parts of the country, mainly Punjab, Haryana and western Uttar Pradesh.

Rakesh Tikait of the Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) said they are prepared to continue the protest as long as it is required.

"We are completely prepared. Unless and until the government listens to us and meets our demands, we will not move from here," Tikait, who is among the leaders at the forefront of the movement, told PTI.

Moreover, the three farm laws have been projected by the Centre as major reforms in the agriculture sector that will remove the middlemen and allow farmers to sell their produce anywhere in the country.

Yogendra Yadav of Swaraj India said: "The movement has brought the farmers back on the political landscape of this country. It has made farmers visible once again. It has taught every politician a lesson — not to take ‘panga’ with the farmers."

"It has united farmers like never before. Haryana and Punjab  farmers are united. Despite deep attempts at communal mobilisation in UP, Hindu and Muslim farmers are united in this protest. Gujjars and Meenas are united in Rajasthan,” Yadav said.

Kavitha Kuruganti of the All India Kisan Sangharsh Coordination Committee (AIKSCC) added that the movement had proven very “constructive” socially as well.

"The farmers movement has to be assisted on multiple levels. There is a very important but limited agenda of securing our four demands, but beyond that is the issue of what the farmers’ movement has been able to achieve as larger outcomes. 

She added that the movement had also “reinforced the identity of women farmers”.