Odisha farmers leave for Delhi to join protest
BHUBANESWAR: Farmers under the aegis of Navnirman Krushak Sangathan (NKS) here on Friday gave ‘Delhi Chalo’ call in support of farmers protesting in Delhi against farm laws. They later on the day boarded buses and cars from Bhubaneswar to join them on January 21.
Farmers led by NKS national convenor Akshaya Kumar staged a rally at the Lower PMG here on Friday before leaving for Delhi. They demanded abolition of the farm laws instead of implementing it in the country.
Kumar, who has already attended two meetings of agitating farmers in Delhi with government representatives, said they have two demands only. “Repeal the farm laws and strengthen the minimum support price (MSP) system. Bring a law to take legal action against anybody who purchases agricultural produces less than the MSP,” he added.
He said the farmer movement in Delhi border needs their support during this trying time. “Government wants to weaken the farmer movement at any cost, but we will not allow the Centre to do it. Our farmer friends will join them and show solidarity to the movement,” he added.
Seshadev Nanda, another farmer leader of the Sangathan, said they have arranged seven buses and three cars to reach Delhi. “We have set a target to take around 500 farmers to Delhi. During this journey started from Friday, we will have stoppages at some places of West Bengal, Jharkhand, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh before arriving at Delhi,” he added.
In December last year, a section of farmers and their leaders have participated in the ongoing mega farmer movement in Delhi. Later some farmers from western Odisha have also joined the movement. Their major apprehension is that the farm laws may end the minimum support price (MSP) of agri produces and weaken mandi system.
The three farm laws were- Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Act, 2020, the Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2020 and the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act, 2020.