Thousands of footsteps thundered the national capital on Thursday morning as farmers from across the country marched to Ramlila Maidan in New Delhi.
The country is staring at a major agrarian crisis and the marching farmers aim to put the same crisis in spotlight.
Farmers’ rights group are demanding that the Indian Parliament calls for a special session and pass the two bills: the first bill relates to one-time full loan waiver as a relief to debt-ridden farmers. The second bill is a long term institutional measure to ensure farmers are not pushed to indebtedness again.
Their demand is to guarantee remunerative price to farmers as per recommendations of the Swaminathan Commission, that calls for fixing Minimum Support Price at 50 percent above the comprehensive cost of production.
The march has been supported by different contingents like the students for farmers, journalists for farmers, artists for farmers, lawyers for farmers and doctors for farmers. The civil society has come out in solidarity with the agitating farmers.
Frustrated farmers have taken to the streets of Delhi in hopes of a better livelihood. Lakhs of farmers and volunteers are taking the 'Kisan March' to the Ramlila Maidan in the heart of the National Capital.
Farmers from across the country are walking on the roads of the national capital, only to demand basic rights for themselves to be able to facilitate their livelihood. From not being able to feed family to not being able to repay loans, everyone has a story to tell.
Here are some of the faces that marched on Thursday morning to reach the Ramlila Maidan.
‘Youth Support Will Make Farmers Hopeful’
“This government doesn’t listen to farmers. If we, the youth support farmers, it’ll give them some hope.”Abhyas, Protester
‘No Fair Price for Crop, No Insurance’
“Don’t get insurance on time, there is no fair price for the crop, no pension. 10-15 farmers have committed suicide in the last two years do to crop failure in my village.”Trinath, Protester
Upon being asked if he is married, he said, “Where’s the money?”
‘Selling Beans at Rs 2, Youth is Taking to Alcohol and Drugs’
“Prices of vegetables are really low, we are left with no savings. I am selling beans at Rs 2 per kg. There is no market mechanism. Distressed farmers and young boys are now taking to alcohol and other drugs.”Kapuri Haldar, Protester
It (farming) is a lot of hard-work, but we don’t get profits. Don’t have knowledge of any other crop. Jobs only pay Rs 8,000 first, then Rs 12,000-13,000 so it’s not viable. I have a Rs 5 lakh loan.Sunil Rajput, Protester
‘Sometimes, My Family Gets Just One Meal a Day’
“If the farmers don’t get fair prices, our wages get delayed, reduced. I have 3 kids. Sometimes, my family has just one meal in a day.”Pandey, Farm Labourer
‘Unable to Sell Crop, Stream and Canals Have Dried Up’
“I am unable to sell Bajra crop, the streams and canals have dried up. There is power only for 3 hours. It’s difficult to get connections, how will our children study in the dark?”Rai Bhar Nambardar, Farmer
The farmers are demanding the implementation of the MS Swaminathan Committee report, increased minimum support price (MSP).
They also want a special Parliament session to discuss two Bills – Farmers’ Freedom from Indebtedness Bill, 2018, and Farmers’ Right to Guaranteed Remunerative Minimum Support Prices for Agricultural Commodities Bill, 2018.
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