Farmers from other parts of country to set off on ‘Dilli Chalo’ march today

Mohit Khanna

Patiala, March 5

Farmers from northern and central states of the country, except those from Punjab who are protesting at Shambhu and Khanauri borders, would march towards Delhi tomorrow to protest against the Centre.

The Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM non-political) leaders from Shambhu Border said a day before the protest, the X handle of many farm leaders and activists have been suspended by the government. The farm unions marching towards Delhi have been urged to stage a sit-in at the location wherever the police stop them from proceeding further.

Since March 13, the government has suspended nearly 500 social media accounts of protesting farm leader and those highlighting their issues of protesting farmers, a leader said.

“We have received information that farmers from Haryana, Uttarakhand, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand and Uttar Pradesh have started marching towards Delhi. It is very unfortunate that Facebook, Instagram and X handles of farmers, social activists and journalists are being blocked. Even today, many accounts were blocked to foil tomorrow’s march. Instead of addressing the issues of farmer, workers and tribal people, the government is blocking the platforms where they can voice their concerns,” said farm leader Tejvir Singh.

Another farm leader, Dilbag Singh, confirmed that they had received a letter from SKM and the leaders of Kisan Mazdoor Morcha and SKM (non-political) were deliberating over its content at Khanauri border.

“We are expecting a positive outcome. We know that unless we have unity, our victory is not possible. People from across the country believe that SKM and SKM (non-political) should join hands,” said Dilbag.

Even as suspense looms over whether the two factions would join hands before the March 14 “Dilli Chalo” rally at Ram Leela Maidan, SKM leader Dharshan Pal said: “The ball is in the court of SKM (non-political) as we have submitted our eight-point programme and are awaiting feedback.”

Meanwhile, three major farm organisations, BKU (Ekta-Ugrahan), BKU Dakaunda and the Krantikari Kisan Union, which are part of the SKM, held protests across the state today. Massive protest was witnessed in Patiala. The protesters marched from Tripuri Bazar towards the mini- secretariat and staged a sit-in.