The Samyukt Kisan Morcha, an umbrella organization consisting of approximately 40 farm unions, has announced that it will resume its agitation for pending demands on March 20, 2023 The decision was taken at a meeting of the SKM leaders in Kurukshetra. The coalition of farm unions was formed in 2020 to lead the protests against three controversial farm laws, which have since been repealed.
The morcha had suspended its agitation on December 11, 2021, and the farmers had stated that they would resume the protest if their demands were not met. The SKM leader, Yudhvir Singh, stated in the media that on March 20th, thousands of farmers from across the country will arrive in Delhi to resume the agitation for their pending demands, including the guaranteed minimum support price (MSP) for all crops and a loan waiver.
He also added that the next decision on the nature of the protest will be taken after a meeting on March 20th, but they have not yet decided whether the agitation will be indefinite.
The key demands of the Samyukt Kisan Morcha include a complete loan waiver for farmers, the guaranteed MSP for all crops, the withdrawal of the Electricity (Amendment) Bill, 2022, and compensation for the families of farmers who died during the protest.
Singh stated that the future of the protest will depend on the government's response to these demands. If the government does not accept the demands, the SKM leaders stated that they may have no choice but to resume the agitation.
SKM will hold a Kisan Mahapanchayat in front of the Parliament
The SKM also plans to hold a Kisan Mahapanchayat in front of the Parliament, where they will condemn the union finance minister for presenting an anti-farmer budget. The SKM leaders believe that the budget has failed to address the needs and concerns of farmers and rural communities. The resumption of the protest is a clear indication of the determination of the farmers to continue their fight for their rights and demands.
The Samyukt Kisan Morcha's decision to resume its agitation for pending demands on March 20, 2023, has significant implications for the government and the farmers' movement. The government will need to take proactive steps to address the demands of the farmers, and the farmers will need to remain steadfast in their commitment to achieving their goals.
