For the last eight months, tens of thousands of agricultural labourers and farmers from all across India have been camping out on several Delhi borders protesting against three farm laws brought by the BJP ruled Union government.
On Thursday around 200 farmers reached Jantar Mantar, an important protest site in Central Delhi to protest against the three farms laws brought by BJP ruled Union government.
किसान संसद मार्च के लिए सिंघु बॉर्डर से रवाना हो गए हैं. pic.twitter.com/HN3cLJiTpc
— Mandeep Punia (@mandeeppunia1) July 22, 2021
The farmers are demanding that the Modi government must repeal the laws during the monsoon session of the Indian Parliament which commenced on July 19 and will end on August 9. Farmers have received special permission for the demonstration by Delhi Lt Governor Anil Baijal. The protest at Jantar Mantar will continue till the end of the session.
Meanwhile, the Delhi police which operates under the orders of the Union government has put barricades on both sides of the area and is keeping a check on vehicles.
The farmers started with ID cards and union flags from the Singhu border protest site and were escorted to the protest site by the police. Farmers have said that more than once their IDs were checked by the security forces which delayed their arrival in the capital.
The farmers are reaching Jantar Mantar soon as they have been given permission to protest there until the end of Parliament monsoon session from 10 am to 5 pm.
And the Delhi police and RAF have begun to tighten security in the area. @NH_India photo by Vipin pic.twitter.com/6DwyJ7TTQn
— Ashlin Mathew (@ashlinpmathew) July 22, 2021
Rapid Action Force, a specialised unit of the Central Reserve Police Force, is present carrying riot shields and batons. A water cannon and metal-detector gates have been deployed at the site, Economic Times reported.
Meanwhile, the journalists and media persons who do not hold Press Information Bureau (PIB) cards are not being allowed to enter the protest area to cover the demonstrations.
Punjab and Haryana’s local media played huge role in covering farmer protest.
But today most of them are not being allowed to enter jantar mantar as they don’t hold PIB card. pic.twitter.com/tuwbsUrsmX— Sandeep Singh (@PunYaab) July 22, 2021
Many of the journalists continue to sit outside Jantar Mantar as the police continue to refuse them entry.
Journalists sat on protest outside Jantar mantar as they are not being allowed to cover the farmer protest inside the Jantar mantar. pic.twitter.com/6toOTsC4PB
— Sandeep Singh (@PunYaab) July 22, 2021
Refuting the claims of the Modi government, farmers have consistently explained that the new laws center on the profit accumulation motive of large corporates by freeing them to procure farm goods outside government-regulated wholesale grain markets which will weaken the bargaining power of the farmers and exploit them.
Read More: Three Farm Laws to Nurture Large Corporates and Not Farmers or Consumers
‘We will hold ‘Kisan Sansad’ at Jantar Mantar. We will monitor Parliament proceedings,’ Bhartiya Kisan Union (BKU) leader Rakesh Takait said, ANI reported.
Rakesh Tikait said government has finally accepted those who are sitting at Delhi borders are farmers.#FarmersParliament pic.twitter.com/LRwW14qSZ0
— Tractor2ਟਵਿੱਟਰ (@Tractor2twitr) July 22, 2021
The gathered farmers are conducting a ‘Kisan Sansad (Farmers’ Parliament)’ under the open sky at Jantar Mantar where farmer leaders are demanding the government to roll back the laws.
Farmer Gurbax Singh Barnala addressed the parliament and said that farm laws were passed to destroy small and marginal farmers.
Why this statement was important m? because media around the world listened to it.#FarmersParliament pic.twitter.com/tyt3S9tlbL
— Tractor2ਟਵਿੱਟਰ (@Tractor2twitr) July 22, 2021
Opposition political parties have also come in the support of the protest. 20 MPs from Kerala arrived at Jantar Mantar in solidarity with the protestors.
20 MPs from Kerala visited the #FarmersParliament and expressed solidarity with farmers.
Since farmers do not allow politicians to share the stage, the MPs obliged and joined as audience.? – @karwanemohabbat pic.twitter.com/5GePTGObKy
— Tractor2ਟਵਿੱਟਰ (@Tractor2twitr) July 22, 2021
Indian National Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, after staying away from the farmers’ protests for months came out in solidarity on Thursday.
After a tractor rally stint in support of farmers during the initial days of the #FarmersProtest, leaders from @INCIndia including @RahulGandhi is now seen standing in support of the farmers holding banners for Repeal of Anti-Farmer Laws outside Parliament.#FarmersParliament pic.twitter.com/OP0BKjKBb4
— Tractor2ਟਵਿੱਟਰ (@Tractor2twitr) July 22, 2021
Also read: How do the Modi Government’s Farm Laws Violate the UN Declaration?
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