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The Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) has announced nationwide tractor marches on January 26, 2025, to demand that Prime Minister Narendra Modi engage with farmers over their long-pending issues. This call comes amid heightened concerns about the deteriorating health of Jagjit Singh Dallewal, a prominent farmer leader who has been on an indefinite fast for over 48 days.
Dallewal, convener of SKM (Non-Political), began his hunger strike at the Khanauri border between Punjab and Haryana on November 26, 2024. His protest aims to highlight unresolved issues affecting farmers, including the demand for a legally guaranteed Minimum Support Price (MSP) for crops.
Nationwide Protests on Republic Day
In a statement issued by the SKM, farmers were urged to organise tractor, vehicle, and motorcycle parades at district and sub-division levels across the country on January 26, marking India’s 76th Republic Day. These demonstrations are intended to amplify demands, which include:
- Immediate discussions with Prime Minister Modi on farmers’ struggles.
- The withdrawal of the National Policy Framework on Agricultural Marketing (NPFAM), which SKM terms "anti-farmer."
- The enactment of a law ensuring MSP at C2+50% of production costs with legally mandated procurement.
- Comprehensive loan waivers for farmers and farmworkers.
- A halt to electricity privatisation, discontinuation of smart meters, provision of free electricity up to 300 units, and implementation of the Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation, and Resettlement (LARR) Act, 2013.
The SKM has also called for burning copies of the NPFAM during protests to symbolise their rejection of the policy, which they claim undermines farmers’ livelihoods.
‘Authoritarian and Insensitive’ Leadership Under Fire
The SKM strongly criticised Prime Minister Modi’s unwillingness to engage with Kisan organisations, labeling his approach as "authoritarian and insensitive." They accused him of ignoring the plight of farmers and failing to intervene in the life-threatening hunger strike of Jagjit Singh Dallewal.
"The Prime Minister’s indifference to the demands of farmers and his refusal to save Dallewal’s life reflects his surrender to corporate interests," the SKM said in a statement, as quoted by PTI.
The organisation also criticised the Supreme Court and the President of India for their inaction, despite Dallewal’s fast-unto-death crossing 46 days. The SKM alleged that the government’s policies, including the contentious NPFAM, prioritize corporate profits over farmers' welfare, workers' rights, and youth employment.
A Broader Fight Against Corporate Influence
The SKM claims that the government’s reform policies, such as the NPFAM, are part of a larger agenda to impose corporate dominance over agriculture, industry, and services. These reforms, they argue, threaten the federal structure of India by bypassing states’ powers and undermining constitutional principles.
"The livelihoods of millions are at stake due to corporate-backed reforms that deny farmers fair prices, rob workers of minimum wages, and destroy productive employment opportunities for youth," the SKM stated.
The body emphasized the need to resist the corporate onslaught, which they claim disproportionately harms vulnerable communities and disrupts the balance of India’s federal system.
Coordination Efforts Among Farmer Bodies
To strengthen their collective struggle, the SKM has scheduled a coordination meeting with SKM (Non-Political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM) on January 13 at Patran, near Khanauri. A six-member SKM committee recently visited the protest site to discuss unifying various farmer bodies.
Initially planned for January 15 in Patiala, the meeting was rescheduled to address concerns over Dallewal’s health. The SKM aims to consolidate efforts to push their agenda, drawing inspiration from the successful 2020-21 farmers’ protests that led to the repeal of controversial farm laws.
A Legacy of Resistance
The SKM’s call for Republic Day protests underscores their enduring commitment to addressing farmers' grievances. The planned tractor marches, reminiscent of the historic 2021 protests, serve as a stark reminder of the ongoing struggle for farmers' rights in India.
As the nation prepares to celebrate its 76th Republic Day, the spotlight remains firmly on the farmers’ movement, a force that continues to challenge policies they view as detrimental to their survival and the broader agricultural sector.
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