Under the leadership of Samyukta Kisan Morcha farmers in India have been protesting at the borders of the National Capital for hundred days. To mark this relentless spirit of farmers for hundred days SKM is observing a “Black Day” today in addition to a five hours long blockade of the Kundli–Manesar–Palwal (KMP) Expressway.
What is being lauded as the world’s largest movement, the ongoing farmers’ movement claims several martyrs. Datar Singh who was the president of Kirti Kisan Union Punjab is one of such martyrs. Singh passed away in Amritsar in the middle of a public meeting on February 21, 2021 due to a cardiac arrest. SKM and Kirti Kisan Union Punjab along with the family of Singh, on March 5, 2021 paid tribute to the contributions of Datar Singh to various organisations and the ongoing movement.
SKM leaders resolved to take forward the agitation of which Singh was part of till his last breath.
The agitation has been spreading across the nation. The farmers of Madhya Pradesh are in a sit-in-strike for eighty seven days in Chhatarpur in MP. This particular sit-in was organised with no permission and support by the police and administration; however following the mammoth mahapanchayat here on March 3 and 4, 2021 the protesting farmers have gotten permit to install tents at the site and carry forward the peaceful protest.
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Amidst such hopeful and inspiring development in the rest of the country, the story of Delhi Police, that is under the control of the Union Home Minister Amit Shah is a grim one. The police are continuing to harass the protesters and those standing in the support of farmers.
SKM brought to light the continuing harassment by the Delhi Police.
A group of women along with Manjeet Kaur Dobka, a farmer leader were enroute from Singhu border to Rakabganj Gurudwara on the night of March 4, 2021. They were to spend the night in the Gurudwara. The vehicle that they were travelling in was stopped near the outer ring road check post by the Delhi Police, just because the vehicle carried a Nishan Sahib (Sikh religious flag) and the flag of Kisan Union. The police asked them to remove this flag and upon refusal the group of women along with a two years old toddler were detained.
SKM has strongly condemned this lawlessness of the Delhi Police. In a statement the farmers’ organisation has noted that as per the law no child below the age of seven shall be detained at a police station; secondly, no woman shall be detained at a police station after sunset.
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