Over 1,500 representatives of farm unions gathered at the Singhu border of Delhi for a national convention on 26 and 27 August to mark the completion of 9 months of farmers’ protest against the Centre’s three farm laws.
The convention discussed on legal guarantee for MSP of all crop, repeal of Electricity Bill, 2021 and no prosecution of farmers under the Commission of Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas Bill 2021.
Abhimanyu Kohar, farmer leader said that the aim of the convention is to bring together farm unions of the country so that they can take a mutual decision that how to go ahead with the protest.
Farmers mainly from northern states of Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh, have been protesting at the Delhi borders since November of last year, demanding of withdrawal of three farm laws.
While addressing the protesters at the Singhu border, Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) leader Rakesh Tikait said, “It is sad that it’s been nine months but the government is still not ready to talk. But we should not feel demotivated. During this convention we will reflect on what we have lost and what we have gained over the last nine months”.
The two-day event will have 5 sessions — three on Thursday and two on Friday — that will try to address the challenges faced by agriculture labour, industrial workers, rural poor and tribal people.
Kohar said, “Our next strategy is the Muzaffarnagar ‘mahapanchayat’ on September 5 which will also be discussed at the convention. Preparations for the ‘mahapanchayat’ are in full swing. I know that at least 5,000 vehicles will be travelling to Muzaffarnagar”.
Visiting representatives from 20 states, including Kerala, Karnataka, Gujarat and Tamil, are offered accommodations at the Singhu borders themselves.
