While the entire country witnessed mega events to celebrate International Yoga on Wednesday, farmers in Haryana protested against the BJP-led Central and Haryana Government by performing “hath yoga” at various locations in the State.
Farmers under the banner of Bhartiya Kisan Union (Mann faction) in Haryana headed by Rattan Mann demonstrated their protest by performing the ‘shavasana and ‘shirshasana’ on state highways.
Rattan Mann while talking to the mediapersons said the farmers performed yoga for one hour at various locations in Haryana to protest against the BJP and to press for their demands.
“We are demanding implementation of the Swaminathan Commission report, loan waiver and retirement allowance of Rs 5 lakh to all farmers after attaining the age of 60. The BJP Government should fulfil its poll promises made to the farmers,” he said.
The State Government has invited them for a meeting on June 30 in Chandigarh. We would go to attend the meeting and put forth our grievances. We would announce the future course of action after this meeting, he added.
At present, various farmers organisations are holding protest dharnas in various parts of Haryana demanding immediate implementation of Swaminathan report, loan waiver for debt-ridden farmers, enhanced minimum support price (MSP) on crops among other steps for farmers welfare after Madhya Pradesh’s Mandsaur incident in which six farmers were killed during police firing.
On the other hand, Haryana Congress chief Ashok Tanwar who had begun ‘satyagrah’ dharna in Karnal on Monday to highlight the farmers’ woes, ended his three days dharna. Tanwar, wearing black arm band alongwith his supporters performed yoga in protest of the anti-farmer policies of the ruling Governmen.
Tanwar while talking to the mediapersons said the BJP-led Central and Haryana Governments should not be insensitive towards farming community and fulfil the promises made to them.