Day 2 of the ‘Kisan Sangat’ started at Jantar Mantar as scheduled, however this time, with a stage, correct seating preparations and underneath a shade. Protesters took turns to talk about how the mandi system is being destroyed due to the Centre’s three farm legal guidelines.
Two-hundred farmers had been current, most of them new faces as they stated they’re attending the protest in batches. The Delhi Catastrophe Administration Authority (DDMA) underneath the L-G had earlier given permission to farmers to protest at Jantar Mantar, albeit in small batches.
Police barricades surrounded the shed, with devoted entry and exit factors. Flats of assorted hues of quite a few farmer associations had been hoisted on barricades. No less than eight standing followers had been organized to take care of the searing warmth.
Farmers from Punjab and Haryana spoke about how the mandi system is underneath duress — their speeches indicating how so much has modified since they first began protesting at Delhi’s borders in late November final 12 months. A speaker from Haryana stated mandis have stopped functioning in 4 districts within the state. Many additionally raised questions in regards to the minimal help value (MSP) and what number of farmers really obtain it.
Rahul Raj, a farm chief from Madhya Pradesh who retains coming to the protests, was among the many audio system. Addressing the viewers, he stated, “Mandi system has its flaws however we had been asking them to repair it. As an alternative, they’ve completed round 80 mandis within the state. It’s finally changing into utterly privatised.”
“The federal government didn’t buy moong and makki from farmers this 12 months however procured it privately. By discouraging us to develop sure crops, they’re not directly encouraging non-public gamers. That is what occurred with soya bean oil, which is now solely produced privately and prices round Rs 250 per litre. Earlier, it was decrease than Rs 100. If nobody else grows it, non-public gamers hoard it and the value retains rising.” He added that farmers and labourers struggled through the second wave of Covid as they didn’t obtain their dues, nor might they strategy courts.
Farmers from Haryana and Punjab stated that they may quickly share the identical destiny if issues don’t change quickly.
The speeches went on until 5 pm, when protesters acquired into buses and left for Singhu.
A part of the occasion was a play, throughout which a farmer who performed a ‘krishi mantri’ defended the three legal guidelines. His justification of the legal guidelines was met with voices screaming ‘disgrace’. After this, farmers got the stage to clarify why they’re cautious of the legal guidelines. The protester who performed the minister then agreed with them.
A protester stated, “The intention of this play was to indicate the federal government that in the event that they take heed to us, we will all lastly come to a conclusion.”
Prakreet Singh, a farmer from Tarn Taran in Punjab, stated, “The legal guidelines must be repealed both immediately or tomorrow.” It was his first day at Jantar Mantar. He wore a card that had been issued particularly for the day. Farmers stated 200 new playing cards are issued each day. The numbers make it simpler to commute as they enter the buses based mostly on these numbers.
Two washrooms had been arrange by authorities and two water tanks had been offered by the NDMC. A langar was organised by the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Administration Committee. A CATS ambulance was deployed on the spot and one other ambulance, from the farmers’ aspect, was additionally current.
The ambulance had been organized by Dr Swaiman Singh, who returned from the US to assist farmers on the Tikri border. He has been on the website for eight months, and needs to proceed serving the protesters. He stated, “Generally I do really feel like going again… however nothing makes me happier than serving my folks.” He stated he would stick round until the protests finish — that’s until the legal guidelines are repealed.