Farmers Intensify Protest with Nationwide “Rail Roko” Andolan for MSP Guarantee

admin July 16, 2023

Farmers Intensify Protest with Nationwide “Rail Roko” Andolan for MSP Guarantee

Punjab and Haryana Bear the Brunt of Disruptions

Discontent among farmers continues to simmer as major agricultural unions like Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha organized a nationwide “rail roko” protest on Sunday. The agitation aimed to pressure the central government to address their long-standing demands, including a legal guarantee for Minimum Support Price (MSP) and farm loan waivers.

The protest’s impact was most significant in the states of Punjab and Haryana, where farmers squatted on railway tracks at numerous locations, bringing train traffic to a complete halt for over four hours in several areas. Passengers faced significant inconvenience, forced to wait at stations or scramble for alternative modes of transportation.

Haryana Responds with Detentions, Punjab Witnesses Cancellation of Trains

The Haryana government responded with a stricter approach, detaining several protesting farmers in Dabwali and Ellenabad. This action came after the farmers’ “Dilli Chalo” march, planned to reach the national capital, was halted at the Haryana borders.

The “rail roko” call was issued following the stalling of the “Dilli Chalo” march. The disruption caused by the protests in Punjab and Haryana resulted in the cancellation of nine trains and delays for around 25 others. While the farmer unions had called for a nationwide agitation, participation from other states remained subdued.

Unions Claim Success Despite Uneven Participation

Despite the limited participation from some states, farmer unions maintained that their agitation gained momentum across the country. Leaders claimed that numerous trains were cancelled not just in Punjab and Haryana, but also in Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, and Bihar, portraying the protest as a success.

The MSP Guarantee: A Core Demand

The ongoing farmer protests center around the demand for a legal guarantee on MSP, a crucial support system for Indian agriculture. MSP sets the minimum price at which the government promises to procure crops from farmers, ensuring a degree of income stability. Farmers argue that a legal guarantee would strengthen the MSP system and protect them from exploitation by private players.

The Road Ahead for Farmers’ Demands

The “rail roko” protest highlights the farmers’ continued resolve to push for their demands. While the limited participation from other states raises questions about the national reach of the agitation, the disruption caused in Punjab and Haryana underscores the simmering discontent within the agricultural community. It remains to be seen how the government will respond to these renewed protests and whether a solution can be reached that addresses the core concerns of the farmers.