Delhi Chalo March: Farmers Stopped at Haryana Barricades Amid MSP Protest
In a dramatic turn of events, the Delhi Chalo march, led by farmers from Shambhu border, was halted by Haryana police after a few meters, as barricades were put in place. The farmers, under the banner of Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha, were marching towards Delhi, demanding a legal guarantee to Minimum Support Price (MSP) for crops, when the Haryana police barred them near a multi-layered barricade erected by the state government, claiming prohibition under Section 163 of BNSS.
The 'jatha' of 101 farmers, which began its foot march at 1 pm, was stopped near the security barriers. When the farmers pushed down a few pieces of iron mesh and barbed wire to break through, they did not move ahead as the police personnel stationed behind the barricades warned them to halt for they had no permission for marching. The protesters, reciting "Satnam Waheguru" and waving farmers' union flags, expressed frustration as one farmer climbed on to a security roof before he was forced down.
In response to the situation, farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher called the participants of the march "marjeevras" — those willing to die for the cause. He condemned the Haryana government's actions, stating that there was no reason to prevent the farmers from marching to Delhi on foot, especially as previous statements by government leaders had not raised objections to such a peaceful approach.
The Haryana government managed the situation by imposing a mobile internet ban and restricting bulk SMS in 11 villages of Ambala district until December 9. The schools of the district were also shut for the day. Apart from a legal guarantee to MSP, they want a farm debt waiver, pension schemes for farmers and farm laborers, and repeal of the three contentious farm laws.
It further indicates unsolved issues regarding compensation to those who sacrificed their lives in previous gheraos and justice about the Lakhimpur Kheri violence issue. Still, with widespread opposition, the farmers march on towards getting justice, along with the betterment of the farming sector. This brings Delhi Chalo as the main protest of India within its series of ongoing farmer gheraos.