Thousands of farmers have left Karnal, Haryana, today for Delhi, where they intend to mark May 26 as 'Black Day,' marking six months of agitation against Government’s three farm laws. Many people from Sangrur, Punjab are also likely to leave for the national capital.
The farmers set off from the Bastada toll plaza, led by Bharat Kisan Union (BKU) chief Gurnam Singh Charuni, in hundreds of vehicles for the Singhu border point near Delhi. After they arrive at their destination, they will conduct langar seva for a week, according to the farmer leader. Many of the farmers in Karnal were seen raising slogans while wearing no masks or wearing them incorrectly.
Charuni said, "The farmers have set off from Karnal so that the agitation in various districts of Delhi is well represented." Due to a recent spike in Covid cases in the state, Haryana has been placed on lockdown. Farmers protesting along Haryana's border have been blamed by the state government for the increase in rural areas. The spread of infection in rural Punjab has also been highlighted by the Center.
Thousands more have left Khanauri Border in Sagrur, Punjab, to join the protesters at Tikri Border near Delhi, according to the BKU. Thousands of farmers have been opposing the Central government's three agricultural laws passed last year for months.
Farmers also want a new law enacted to guarantee a minimum support price for crops, in addition to their rollback. They've set up camp along Delhi's border at places like Kundli and Singhu, refusing to leave amid the country's ongoing Covid crisis.
He disproved claims that the protest could be devastating in the midst of the pandemic by claiming that the government was the one spreading the disease.
"The government is blaming the farmers to conceal its own incompetence. There are no ambulances, beds, or hospitals in the region. We all have our own obligations, so why is the government hosting events where large crowds gather? "he said.
The BKU chief also reaffirmed the farmers' willingness to negotiate. The Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM), an umbrella organization representing over 40 farmer unions, wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday, urging him to resume talks.
