In a sharp escalation of their ongoing agitation, farmers have announced plans to block railway tracks nationwide on October 3, protesting the government’s failure to address their demands including guaranteed Minimum Support Price and a loan waiver.
This decision was made at a Kisan Mahapanchayat held in Pipli of poll-bound Haryana and jointly led by leaders from the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha.
Addressing farmers, SKM (NP) leader Sarwan Singh Pandher emphasised the resolve of the farmers to continue their struggle until their demands are met. “We will not rest until our demands are fulfilled. The farmers of Haryana are wise enough to hold the government accountable for its actions over the past decade,” Pandher said. He announced the plan for a two-hour rail blockade on October 3, stating it would be a nationwide protest.
Pandher also issued a stark warning to political parties, saying they would face the wrath of farmers if they continued to ignore their issues. Recalling the tragic death of 22-year-old farmer Shubhkaran Singh, who was killed during the “Dilli Chalo” protest at the Khanauri border on February 21, 2024, Pandher urged the gathering to seek electoral revenge for the atrocities committed against farmers.
“The fight isn’t over. It’s time for farmers to unite and intensify the agitation,” he declared, signaling a continued escalation in the movement.
Another key speaker at the event, farmer leader Abhimanyu Kohar, threw down a public challenge to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for a debate on the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for crops in Haryana. Kohar accused the BJP-led Haryana government of misleading the farmers with false claims about crop procurement at MSP.
“The government is making tall claims that they are procuring all crops at MSP, but the reality is different,” Kohar said.
“The farmers of Haryana will not be misled by false promises during elections. We will not support any political party, but the voters will remember how the government used force against us before they cast their votes,” he added. Thousands of farmers from Haryana and Punjab, including of women, attended the Mahapanchayat.