Thousands of farmers are once again camped at the Delhi borders, reigniting protests against the government’s agricultural reforms. This “Delhi Chalo 2.0” movement echoes their 2020 struggle, raising questions about their demands, police action, and potential solutions.
Renewed Protests and Clashes:
- On February 13th, farmers attempted to breach barricades at Delhi borders, leading to clashes with police.
- Tear gas and water cannons were used to disperse the crowds, resulting in injuries on both sides.
- This incident highlights the continued tensions between farmers and the government.
Reasons for the Protest:
- Farmers demand legal guarantees for a Minimum Support Price (MSP) for their crops, fearing exploitation by corporations under new farm laws.
- They believe the laws promote deregulation and weaken their bargaining power, potentially leading to lower incomes.
Talks and Progress:
- The government is open to discussions but refuses to repeal the laws entirely.
- Talks with farmer unions have stalled as a unified leadership representing all factions remains elusive.
- Some progress has been made on addressing specific concerns, but major demands remain unresolved.
Who’s Involved:
- Farmer unions under the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) banner are leading the protests.
- Internal divisions within SKM complicate negotiations, adding another layer of complexity.
- Government representatives, including agricultural ministers, are involved in dialogue attempts.
Outlook:
- With both sides holding firm, the standoff at Delhi borders looks set to continue.
- Finding a solution requires addressing core farmer concerns while safeguarding broader agricultural reforms.
- Continued dialogue and potential concessions from both sides are crucial to de-escalate the situation and reach a sustainable agreement.
Note: This summary is based on information available as of February 13th, 2024. The situation is fluid and may evolve with ongoing developments. An Insight Into the Past: More About The 2020-21 Indian Farmers’ Protest
Delhi Chalo 2.0: Date-wise Developments Reported by TNV
Feb 14
Farmers Clash at Delhi Borders: Delhi police deployed tear gas for a second day to halt farmers from Punjab marching toward Delhi. The Shambhu border in Haryana, 200km (125 miles) from Delhi, remains tense. Razor wire and barricades surround the capital. Farm leaders allege use of plastic and rubber bullets. Demands include minimum crop prices and income doubling. Talks with federal ministers have yet to break the deadlock.
Feb 15
Tear gas shells fired: Haryana Police fired tear gas shells during the farmers’ ‘Chalo Delhi’ protest march in Ambala. Despite appeals to disperse, many youth stood firm over barricades. The farmers demand a legal guarantee for Minimum Support Price (MSP) for crops1. In a parallel incident, farmers from Punjab faced tear gas at the Shambhu border as they marched towards Delhi.
Gangster Lakha Sidhana Inciting Farmers: Delhi Police, acting on intelligence, has raised an alarm regarding gangster-turned-radical Lakha Sidhana. Spotted near the Haryana protest site, Sidhana allegedly incited farmers to breach barricades. Videos on Facebook reveal him mobilizing violence using JCBs. Police suspect he aims to replace the late Deep Sidhu, previously linked to the Red Fort violence.
Feb 16
Farmers’ Protest Talks: Positive Momentum: Amid the ongoing Bharat Bandh, farmers continue their vigil at the Shambhu and Khanauri border points between Punjab and Haryana. Meanwhile, in the third round of talks, farmer leaders engaged with Union Ministers Piyush Goyal, Arjun Munda, and Nityanand Rai in Chandigarh. The dialogue was “very positive,” and they plan to meet again on Sunday.
Feb 18
Talks Resume, MSP at Forefront: Talks between farmers’ unions and the Indian government resumed today, with MSP (Minimum Support Price) taking center stage. Farmers reiterated their demand for an ordinance guaranteeing MSP, a key point of contention. Both sides aim to resolve the issue, but concrete outcomes remain to be seen.
Feb 19
Farmers Pause Protest to Weigh Govt’s MSP Plan: Following marathon talks, Union Minister Piyush Goyal unveiled a 5-year minimum support price (MSP) formula for pulses, maize, and cotton. Farmers agreed to halt their ongoing protest until February 21st to study the proposal, which involves government agencies purchasing crops at MSP for five years under a pre-agreed contract.
Feb 20
Farm Protests Face Hurdles: Court, IT Ministry Actions: Farmers reject government proposal and vow to renew their march. However, the Punjab and Haryana High Court criticized ongoing farm protests for using tractor trolleys on highways, deeming it illegal under the Motor Vehicle Act. This raises concerns about potential disruptions and the legality of protest methods. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Information and Technology (IT) blocked 177 social media accounts accused of spreading misinformation related to the protests.
Feb 21
Farmers March, Talks Offered, Tear Gas Used: Farmers renewed their “Delhi Chalo” march, seeking talks with the government on demands like minimum support price. Authorities invited them for dialogue, but tensions flared at the Haryana border. Police used tear gas to disperse farmers trying to breach barricades, reportedly injuring some. Both sides seek resolution, but challenges remain.
Feb 22
Farmers Protest Shifts Gears: The ‘Dilli Chalo’ march has been put on hold after one farmer died during clashes with police in Haryana. BKU Charuni, a farmers’ union, will instead block major roads across the state for two hours tomorrow to protest the death. This move comes amid ongoing tensions and demands for a minimum support price guarantee. While the march is paused, the protest continues in a different form.
Feb 23
Fourth Farmer Dies at Delhi Chalo Protest
Darshan Singh, a farmer protesting at the Khanauri border, has passed away, marking the fourth death during the ongoing Delhi Chalo movement. The 62-year-old reportedly suffered a cardiac arrest. This tragedy highlights the ongoing human cost of the protests.
Financial Aid and Job for Deceased Shubhakaran Singh’s Family
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann declared a Rs. 1 crore ex-gratia for the family of Shubhakaran Singh, who lost his life during the ongoing farmers’ protest at Khanauri border. Additionally, a government job will be provided to Shubhakaran Singh’s younger sister.
NSA Charges Reversed for Farmer Leaders
The Haryana Police initially announced invoking the National Security Act (NSA) against protesting farmer leaders at the Shambhu and Khanauri borders with Punjab. However, they later retracted this decision, emphasizing the need for peace and cooperation in maintaining law and order.
Feb 24
“Delhi Chalo” March Paused: Farmers Hold Ground at Borders
The ‘Delhi Chalo’ march hits a pause as farmers mourn the loss of a comrade in clashes with police. Temporarily halting their march to Delhi, they remain camped at the Punjab-Haryana borders, keeping the pressure on the government. Discussions on their demands are slated to resume after the mourning period.
Feb 25
Mobile Internet Restored
Mobile internet services resume in seven Haryana districts after being suspended during the farmers’ ‘Delhi Chalo’ agitation. No fresh orders extend the suspension. Residents welcome the decision as a big relief.
Feb 26
Noida Police Issue Traffic Advisory Amid Tractor March
Farmers affiliated with BKU-Tikait altered their tractor march plan due to ongoing board exams. Traffic police issued advisories for diversions at Noida-Delhi borders. Commuters are advised to use alternate routes and metro services to minimize inconvenience.
Earlier At The Start Of The Farmers’ March: Traffic snarl on Delhi – Noida – Delhi (DND) flyway