Farmers’ Protest Hits Century: Major Highlights of 100 Days Agitation

Farmers protesting at Delhi’s boundaries crossed a major landmark on Saturday when they achieved 100 days after they first started their campaign against the Govt. and its 3 new farm bills.

From a ‘chakka jam’ on KMP Expressway to commemorate 100 days of the farmers’ agitation to observing International Women’s Day. Singhu border was chock full with movement Friday as campaigners braced for activities scheduled for the next few days. Older demonstrators will hang back at the venue while younger farmers will close down roads.

The protests started on November 25 last year, when thousands of farmers primarily from Punjab and Haryana stormed towards Delhi seeking a full repeal of the regulations, as part of a “Dilli Chalo” movement.

The farm workers believe the laws will proceed to the dissolution of the minimum support price (MSP) promised by the government on selected crops, leaving them in the hands of large companies.

The Punjab Vidhan Sabha Friday enacted a law calling for the unilateral abolition of the farm laws in the support of the farmers and Punjab, and to proceed with the current scheme of MSP-based government procurement of foodgrains.

Women who visited the protest site are ready for the two forthcoming events. They said about 700 tractors with women are anticipated from Haryana, Punjab and Rajasthan over the next two days.

Many among the farmers compare the current protest against the agri laws with the Pagdi Sambhal Jatta movement.

The farmers' strike has remained relatively peaceful. Their tractor rally on Republic Day, nevertheless, turned to violence when some demonstrators shifted their path and stormed towards Central Delhi’s ITO and Red Fort, where police succumbed to teargas shelling and lathi charge when some protesters desecrated public property and assaulted uniformed officers.

Without any clear resolution, farmers battling against the 3 notorious farm laws have now begun gearing themselves for a long war. Farmers are preparing plans to ensure their volumes don't slowly decline due to the forthcoming harvesting season.