Farmers protesting against the Centre's three agricultural laws will observe 'Shaheed Kisan Diwas' on Tuesday to pay tribute to the four farmers killed in the Lakhimpur Kheri riots, according to a statement issued by the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) on Monday.
"On SKM's request, the 12th of October (tomorrow) would be observed as Shaheed Kisan Diwas throughout India."
The 'antim ardaas' of the martyrs of the Lakhimpur Kheri massacre will take place tomorrow at Sahebjada Inter College in Tikunia. Preparations are underway, and tens of thousands of farmers are anticipated to attend the prayer gathering," stated SKM, an umbrella body of nearly 40 farmer organisations.
It has encouraged farmer organisations and progressive groups around the nation to commemorate the occasion by conducting prayer and homage gatherings throughout the country, followed by candlelight vigils in the evening. It has requested people to light five candles outside their houses on Tuesday at 8 p.m.
The farmers' organisation expressed disappointment that no action was taken against Union minister and BJP MP Ajay Mishra, whose vehicle allegedly ran over the farmers in Lakhimpur Kheri.
"It is a shame on the part of the Modi government that Ajay Mishra Teni has not yet been sacked." "It was his cars in the convoy that murdered innocent persons," stated the SKM.
Farmers will celebrate Dussehra on October 15 by burning effigies of BJP leaders, the body added.
Since November of last year, thousands of farmers from around the country have been camping at Delhi's borders, demanding the repeal of three agricultural laws that they allege will abolish the Minimum Support Price (MSP) system, leaving them at the mercy of large corporations.
Over ten rounds of discussions with the government, which has portrayed the legislation as agricultural reforms, have failed to break the deadlock between the two parties.
