Farmers look for fresh support as numbers dwindle at protest sites

As numbers dwindle at protest sites, farmers agitating against the farm laws have tried to infuse fresh energy by announcing a protest schedule for the coming week and roll out plans for the next stage of the three-month-old agitation.

The farmers also slammed Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar's remarks that laws cannot be revoked by gathering crowds.

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“When crowds gather, governments get changed,” Bhartiya Kisan Union leader Rakesh Tikait told a 'Kisan Mahapanchayat' at Sonipat in Haryana.

Tikait, who has emerged as the face of the farmers' agitation, said that the protests would continue at the Delhi borders till the three farm laws were repealed.

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On Sunday, Tomar had said that the Modi government was ready for talks with farmers and they should spell out the shortcomings in the farm laws.

“You flatly say revoke the laws...It doesn't happen that crowd gathers and the laws get revoked,” the agriculture minister said in Gwalior on Sunday.

In Delhi, the Sanyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) announced a series of events beginning on Tuesday to shore up fresh support for the protests. The farmers will observe 'Pagdi Sambhal Divas' tomorrow and sport colourful turbans to remember farmer leaders Chacha Ajit Singh and Swami Sahajananda Saraswati.

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“On February 24, 'Daman Virodhi Divas' is announced in which the farmers and citizens will protest against overall suppression against the farmers' movement. On this day, memoranda will be given to the President of India via Tehsil and district headquarters,” said Darshan Pal, a farmer leader.

Pal said that February 26 will be observed as 'Yuva Kisan Divas' and February 27 as 'Mazdoor Kisan Ekta Divas'.

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“We appeal to all the citizens to strengthen this movement by joining the protesters at Delhi borders,” Pal said.

The agitating farmers were also planning to launch the next stage of protests in March when Parliament resumes the Budget Session after a three-week recess.