On Thursday, farmers held a national convention at the Singhu border to mark the completion of their nine-month agitation over three controversial farm regulations.
The two-day event, which will bring together 1,500 delegates from the organisations of farmers, women, youth, and labours, aims to strengthen and expand the ongoing movement against the Centre’s farm policies.
On Thursday, three sessions will be held as part of the conference, including the opening session and one each on industrial workers, agriculture labour, rural, impoverished, and tribal people. Repeal of all three pro-corporate farm legislation, legal guarantee for MSP of all crops, repeal of the Electricity Bill, 2021, and no prosecution of farmers under the Commission of Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas Bill 2021 are among the subjects scheduled to be discussed at the convention.
Farmers have been protesting at the Delhi border since November last year, seeking the repeal of the three rules. They have consistently raised questions about regulations that would eliminate the minimum support price (MSP), leaving them dependable to large corporates. Over ten rounds of talks with the government, which has projected the laws as substantial agricultural reforms, the two parties have been unable to overcome the stalemate.
It’s unfortunate that after nine months of protests the government is still unwilling to talk. However, we should not be discouraged, Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) leader Rakesh Tikait said while speaking to demonstrators at the Singhu border. During this convention, we will reflect on what we have lost and what we have achieved over the last nine months, he also added.
Source – PTI
