Entering the 14th day of the ongoing farmers' protest, Monday marked a significant development as farmers across the nation, under the banner of Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM), staged a tractor march in support of their demands. The demonstration, which gained momentum in Punjab, saw farmers strategically parking their tractors along National Highways, symbolizing their opposition to the World Trade Organization (WTO) agreements. Concurrently, effigies representing the WTO were set ablaze, further emphasizing the farmers' stance.

 As of now, the farmers have decided to postpone the Dilli Chalo march till February 29 after young farmer’s death, with the farmers continuing their agitation at the Shambhu and Khanauri borders of Punjab and Haryana.

 At the same time, in a positive development, Haryana police initiated the removal of barricades at several points leading to the reopening of Jammu-Delhi National Highway (NH-44) at Kurukshetra. The removal of cement barricades in service lanes contributed to the easing of traffic between Delhi and Chandigarh. The move follows similar actions by the police in Fatehabad days ago, where barricades were lifted from roads adjacent to the Punjab border.

 Sarwan Pandher, one of the key farmer leaders leading the current agitation and Kisan-Mazdoor Morcha (KMM) hea, reiterated the steadfast commitment of the protesting farmers, emphasizing that the agitation will persist until all their demands, including the legal guarantee of Minimum Support Price (MSP), are met.

 Pandher also highlighted the increasing participation of various organizations in the protest, stating, “Today, we have witnessed a significant demonstration against the WTO and corporate giants. Effigies were burnt at the Shambhu and Khanauri borders. Before initiating the protest, we had visited various parts of the country to garner support. States like Haryana, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and Maharashtra are actively backing the movement.”

 Acknowledging the widespread support, Pandher expressed gratitude to supporting organizations, emphasizing that the SKM, being a non-political entity, has garnered backing from over 200 non-political organizations.

 The protest against the WTO agreements is a critical component of the farmers’ larger narrative, with the withdrawal of agriculture from WTO being one of their primary demands. Amidst the ongoing agitation, farmers continue to voice concerns over multiple issues, including debt waiver, the implementation of the Swaminathan Commission recommendations, and pension schemes for the agricultural community.

 Farmers across nation observed ‘WTO Quit Day’ on Monday against the World Trade Organization (WTO). The movement revolves around their primary demand, wherein major agricultural exporting countries have proposed a 50 per cent reduction in the rights of WTO members to support agriculture until 2034.

 The impact of the farmers’ stir resonated across the country, with simultaneous demonstrations in different states. In Amritsar, Ludhiana, Bathinda, and various districts of Punjab, farmers showcased their dissent by parking tractors along highways, symbolizing their determination to continue the agitation until their demands are addressed.


Essay competitions in Punjab to educate college students about  why MSP is necessary

To foster awareness and understanding of the critical issue of Minimum Support Price (MSP) for the farmers, Punjab Vidhan Sabha Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan on Monday announced the launch of essay competitions in colleges across the State on the topic “MSP: Why is it necessary?”.

 Against the backdrop of burgeoning farmer protests across India over the issue of MSP, the initiative aimed at sensitizing the youth about the significance of MSP in safeguarding the interests of farmers amidst ongoing agrarian challenges.

Sandhwan, addressing concerns regarding the marginalization of farmers and the agricultural sector under the BJP-led Central Government, emphasized the imperative of advocating for farmers' rights. He underscored the need for amplifying the voices of farmers and ensuring equitable compensation for their produce, akin to treating their crops as their own offspring.

Highlighting the historical and contemporary relevance of farmers’ agitations, Sandhwan elucidated that the essay competitions serve as a platform to engage the present generation in understanding and championing the cause of agriculture. By encouraging discourse on MSP, the initiative seeks to empower youth with knowledge and empathy towards the struggles faced by farmers in securing fair prices for their crops.

 The essay competitions aim to galvanize students into action, fostering informed opinions, and advocacy on agricultural policies. To incentivize participation and excellence, cash prizes of Rs 51,000, Rs 31,000, and Rs 21,000 will be awarded to the top-performing students, recognizing their contributions towards advancing awareness on this pressing issue.

 Sandhwan reiterated the demand for immediate fulfillment of farmers' demands by the Central government, including the enactment of MSP legislation.