The Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM), a collective of farmers’ groups, is gearing up to hold a significant ‘Kisan Mazdoor Mahapanchayat’ at Delhi’s Ramlila Maidan with the intention of escalating their ongoing struggle against the central government’s policies. Delhi Police has sanctioned the assembly with strict conditions, capping the participant count at 5,000 and forbidding tractor trolleys from encroaching upon the venue vicinity. The SKM, instrumental in the 2020-21 farmers’ demonstrations along Delhi’s periphery challenging the trio of central agricultural enactments, has signaled the arrival of an estimated 50,000 Punjab farmers for the peaceful congregation at the iconic Ramlila Ground.
Tension rises as vast contingents of farmers inaugurate their journey from Punjab to Delhi in an assortment of over 800 buses, trucks, and trains starting Wednesday. The National Capital is poised for a traffic upheaval due to this large-scale farmers’ convergence. Concurrently, the Gautam Buddh Nagar Police issued a travel caution predicting delays along the Noida-Delhi channels, in anticipation of the proposed protest disruption. To deter further demonstration attempts, a substantial force of paramilitary troops is positioned at the strategic Delhi borders: Singhu, Tikri, and Ghazipur, where a steadfast cohort of farmers have held their ground over the past month.
The Mahapanchayat is a carefully synchronized event from 11 am to 2 pm, designed to amplify resistance to governmental agricultural policies, including the demand for guaranteed Minimum Support Prices (MSP) and the execution of the Swaminathan Commission’s propositions. The SKM is poised to unveil a ‘Sankalp Patra,’ a manifesto detailing the tactical roadmap to confront corporate favoring legislations and charting its plan of action aligned with general election implications. Traffic conditionals across Delhi’s artery roads – including Jawaharlal Nehru Marg amongst others – are expected to bear the brunt of this mobilization. While the police aim to ensure law and order with stringent access control, the farmers are determined, well-stocked with provisions, and resolute not to retreat until their voices are heard and their demands acknowledged.