Farmer groups are observing May 26 as Black Day to mark six months of protesting the Supreme Court of India's decision to place three farm bills on hold. According to the Samyukt Kisan Morcha, over 40 farm unions have agreed to protest on May 26 against Government's agricultural laws. Despite travel restrictions due to COVID-19 and lockdown, farmers are arrived at Delhi borders. Several opposition parties have already pledged their support for the call on May 26.
SKM leaders said that May 26 protest would be a symbolic protest with Covid protocols in place, rather than a demonstration of power.
Darshan Pal, a member of the SKM and the president of the Krantikari Kisan Union, said that farmers would protest in towns, suburbs, and along the Delhi border. Farmers would do so by flying black flags, wearing black turbans, dupattas, or clothing, and burning effigies of the Modi government, according to him. “There has undoubtedly been some activity among farmers, but our attention is not on numbers. Darshan Pal said, "We will observe the protest by retaining social distance and other Covid norms."
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 chief. 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.
