Amid the escalating farmers’ protest and the ‘Delhi Chalo’ march, Union Agriculture Minister Arjun Munda emphasized that the implementation of a law ensuring Minimum Support Price (MSP) on crops requires thorough consultations with all stakeholders. Munda called upon the protesting farmer groups to engage in structured discussions with the government to address their concerns.
In a bid to caution the farmers, Munda urged them to remain “aware and alert” about elements that could exploit their protest for political gains. The government has underscored the importance of a comprehensive dialogue to reach a consensus on the MSP law, highlighting the complexity of the issue.
A ministerial delegation, representing the government, has already conducted two rounds of discussions with farmers’ groups, including the non-political Samyuka Kisan Morcha and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha in Chandigarh, in an attempt to resolve their grievances.
Despite these efforts, talks have remained inconclusive, leading to the commencement of the farmers’ ‘Delhi Chalo’ march. Scenes of chaos unfolded at the Shambhu border as police attempted to prevent protestors from entering the national capital. Farmers, using tractors and hand weapons, were observed attempting to breach multi-layered barricades. The Haryana police detained several protesting farmers during their march towards Delhi.
Visuals from the border depicted farmers running towards nearby farmland along the road as police deployed tear gas and water cannons to disperse the protestors. The confrontations at the border exemplify the heightened tensions surrounding the protest and the urgency to address the farmers’ demands.
As the situation unfolds, the government emphasizes the need for an open and structured dialogue to find a resolution that accommodates the concerns of all stakeholders. The ‘Delhi Chalo’ march serves as a poignant expression of the farmers’ determination to have their grievances acknowledged and addressed.
