26 February
Sandeep Dhand Ludhiana
In a significant demonstration, hundreds of tractors lined the Ludhiana-Chandigarh National Highway as the United Kisan Morcha, led by prominent farmers Balbir Singh Rajewal and Harinder Singh Lakhowal, voiced their discontent against the central government’s agricultural policies. Rajewal expressed concerns, accusing the government of favoring large corporations at the expense of farmers.
Rajewal emphasized the potential threat posed by the inclusion of agriculture in the upcoming WTO meeting in Abu Dhabi. He argued that if Minimum Support Prices (MSP) are neglected, it would adversely affect farmers. The protest also highlighted the government’s alleged negligence in addressing the tragic deaths of youth at the Khanuri border, with both Haryana and Punjab governments being accused of shirking responsibility.
Lakhowal raised alarms about corporate expansion into agriculture, citing plans for one lakh acre farms, which he deemed perilous for the farming community. The United Kisan Morcha pledged to escalate their agitation nationwide, vowing to protect the interests of farmers against perceived threats to their livelihoods. As tensions rise, the farmers remain resolute in their determination to safeguard the peasantry from potential adverse consequences.