Protesting on roads of Delhi — more than 200 kilometres away from their homes during harsh winter conditions, Punjab’s farmers are not alone in their fight against the powers that be. Not just the “support”, but also assistance — in cash, kind, or gestures — is flowing in from all sides for the farmers gushing into the national capital since Thursday (November 26).

As the state farmers — who have been feeding the nation by toiling hard in open fields — have decided to hold their fort at the national capital, people from all quarters are making an effort to do their bit.

Right from the villagers or rural folks to the Non-resident Indians (NRIs), from medicos to mechanics, dhaba owners to locals — massive support is being extended by almost everyone to the farmers in their struggle against the Centre’s three farm legislations.

What is more, the people who are coming forward for help are not only from Punjab, but also from Haryana and Delhi.

Renowned for his lip-smacking traditional cuisines, Amrik Sukhdev Dhaba in Haryana’s Murthal threw open its gates to the protesting farmers moving towards the national capital as a part of their ‘Delhi Chalo’ agitation since Thursday, offering free meals.

Doctor-turned-politician Dr Dharamvir Gandhi, who has been strongly supporting the farmers’ agitation, stationed at Punjab-Haryana’s interstate borders along with his team on Thursday to provide medical assistance, if needed, to the protesting farmers.

Besides, some doctors from Punjab’s Barnala have also started a medical camp for farmers at the Kundli border, and in fact, distributed medicines, worth Rs 15,000, for free. Notably, the farmers were attacked with tear gas shells and water cannons by the Haryana Police, and thus several farmers complained of irritation in eyes, some injuries or bruises, and body aches.

Since Friday, a message was going viral in the social media, by Gurjant Dhanaula and Jagtar Dhanaula, offering “free tractor repair” to all the “kisan veer” (farmer brothers), along with the mobile number.

“Yes, we have offered our services to the farmers and asked the people to spread our message to the maximum people. We, a group of three-four mechanics, had left for Delhi where we repaired lot many tractors, cars or other vehicles. We are still here,” said Gurjant, while speaking with The Pioneer over the phone from Delhi.

Besides them, the arhtiyas (commission agents) have also extended their support by providing the financial assistance besides the groceries.

The arhtiyas body in Machhiwara had collected a sum of Rs one lakh for the farmers.

Several villages across Punjab are also collecting money to further the cause of farmers, to send more ration and other necessities to the protestors in Delhi.

Not staying behind, the NRIs are also coming out in moral and monetary support of the protesting farmers in Delhi.

Raja Dhaliwal of Canada’s World Financial Group and the executive team has donated around 50,000 Canadian dollars (Rs 25 lakhs) for providing langar to the farmers. The money has been given to the Khalsa Aid.

“I stood by the farmers and would also raise my voice for economic, community and political support,” said Dhaliwal, in a video message.

Besides, Canadian Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan, NDP leader in Canada Jagmeet Singh, and UK MP Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi have also expressed their open support to the farmers in the social media.

“Our morcha is getting full support by the people of Delhi and Haryana. like people from the industry, common man, shopkeepers, big hospitals, hotels, petrol pumps, etc are providing all the necessary facilities like water to the farmers for bathing and washing clothes. Then lavatory arrangements have also been made for women accompanying us,” said Bhartiya Kisan Union, Dakonda, state president Buta Singh Burjgill.

He said that in the same way, people are also coming with vegetables, fruits, milk, ration, and warm blankets and mattresses.

Burjgill said that the farmers are ready to negotiate with the Central Government but with any condition, and we will not remove our morcha from Tikri border.

FARMERS SAY “NO” TO POLITICAL SUPPORT

Declaring to fight their own battle, Punjab’s farmers have categorically said “no” to all political parties and its leaders. So much so, they have literally chased several leaders away who have come to meet or offer help to the farmers protesting in Delhi.

“We’ve decided that we won’t allow any political party leader to speak on our stage, be it Congress, BJP, AAP (Aam Aadmi Party) or other parties. Our Committee will allow other organizations, who are supporting us, to speak if they follow our rules,” said BKU Krantikari (Punjab) president Surjeet Singh Phul.

“The government is busy blaming us and it is shameful that the government is blaming their hardworking, naïve farmers,” said BKU Rajewal president Balbir Singh Rajewal when asked about some leaders dubbing farmers agitation a s”politically-motivated”.

Notably, the farmers had strongly protested and shouted slogans against Congress MP from Ludhiana Ravneet Singh Bittu, Aam Aadmi Party’s Punjab unit president Bhagwant Mann, Shiromani Akali Dal’s MLA Gurpartap Singh Wadala, among others when they have approached the farmers to show their support and hold talks.

“Where were they when we were struggling on roads, and the police was lashing us with tear gas and water cannons. Now seeing the success of our protest, they have come to us,” said a farmer at Singhu border at Delhi.