The farmers of Punjab and northern India are gearing up for another major agitation. Leaders from 18 farmer-labor organizations of northern India and the United Farmers’ Front (non-political) met at the Farmer Building in Chandigarh. On this occasion, farmer leaders Sarwan Singh Pandher and Jagjeet Singh Dallewal announced plans for two major demonstrations in Punjab.
Pandher and Dallewal stated that farmer organizations at the national level are preparing for a significant struggle to press for the rightful demands of farmers and laborers from the central government. Similarly, on January 2, a gathering will take place in Jandiala Guru in Amritsar, and on January 6, large number of farmers are expected will assemble in Barnala in Malwa to present their demands to the government.
Addressing the media about the agitation, the farmer leaders mentioned that from both platforms, they would demand from the central government the enactment of a guaranteed Minimum Support Price (MSP) law for all crops, as well as the implementation of Dr. Swaminathan Commission’s recommendations and providing prices for all crops according to the C2+50% formula. They would also demand a complete waiver of farmers’ debts. Additionally, pending demands from the previous Delhi agitation, such as bringing the Lakhimpur Kheri murder case to the court of justice, removing Ajay Mishra from the cabinet, and cancelling the bail of Ashish Mishra, are also part of their demands, which haven’t been fulfilled yet.
They also raised the demand for canceling all cases against farmers nationwide, including those related to the Delhi protests. They emphasized the need to cancel the Electricity Amendment Bill, which aimed at privatizing the electricity sector, highlighting that despite an agreement, these issues haven’t been addressed. Farmer leaders Gurinder Singh Bhangoo, Daljit Singh Jeet, Jaswinder Singh Longowal, Manjeet Singh Niyal, Gurmeet Singh, among others, were present at this gathering.
