Farmers set to Resume ‘Dilli Chalo’ March to Parliament amid tight security

Chandigarh/Delhi, December 6, 2024– The protesters who have been camping at Shambhu and Khanauri borders since February 13 are expected to resume their ‘Dilli Chalo’ march towards Parliament today. The protest has been led by farmer unions, such as Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha, that are demanding a legal guarantee of MSP for crops.

The march will start at 1 pm from the Shambhu border. In preparation for the protest, security has been intensified with heavy barricading and extra police personnel being deployed on key routes. The Ambala district administration has prohibited gathering of five or more people to maintain order.
Farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher said that they would march on foot rather than on tractors. Around 100 farmers are expected to take part in this peaceful march. Pandher added that this decision was taken after allegations were made that their tractors were tampered with. “We have been sitting here for the past eight months, and we have decided to march on foot,” Pandher said, adding that their movement has garnered support from khap panchayats and members of the business community.

The demands put forth by the farmers are a legal guarantee for MSP, debt waiver, pension for farmers and farm laborers, and putting an end to electricity tariff hikes. The farmers also seek justice for the victims of the 2021 Lakhimpur Kheri violence, reinstate the Land Acquisition Act of 2013, and provide compensation to farmers who lost their lives during the agitation in the 2020-21 period. In February, farmers tried marching towards Delhi but were held at bay by security forces on Punjab-Haryana borders. For six rounds of talks with the Centre since 18 February, 2024, however, little has come out from discussions by the farmers. “We demand renewed discussions to address our concerns,” said Pandher.

Delhi-NCR residents will face likely traffic jams due to the still-stringent security at the borders, barricaded roads, and avenues throughout major routes. A similar protest, this time by farmers from Uttar Pradesh, had caused some significant traffic snarls in the region just earlier this week.

In anticipation of the march, security forces which comprise of paramilitary troops, drones and water cannons have been stationed along the Shambhu border. Surendra Bhoria, the Superintendent of Police, Ambala confirmed that all security measures were in place and no one would be allowed to vitiate the law and order. “If the farmers want to go to Delhi, they should first get permission from Delhi Police,” Bhoria said. The Ambala administration has enforced Section 163 of BNSS, prohibiting public assembly, and issued notices at the protest site near Shambhu. They have asked farmers to get permission from Delhi Police before going ahead with their march.
Despite the security issues, Pandher said that the protest will be peaceful. “We are being accused of carrying weapons, but we are committed to a non-violent march,” he said, urging the government to let the protest go ahead without interference.

As the protest gets bigger, farmers keep appealing for the government to focus on the issue they are demanding for-to allow them to protest and air out their grievances freely.