Farmer leader calls for nationwide 'rail roko'protest on October 3

Farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher

Farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher on Saturday claimed that the farmer's agitation has been going on since 13 February in Delhi and they will have a mahapanchayat in Jind on September 15 and in Pipli on September 22. The farmers have been protesting at the Shambhu and Khanauri border points between Punjab and Haryana since February 13, when security forces stopped their march.

At the Shambhu border, farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher said to the news agency ANI, "It has been 200 days of the agitation.On 3rd October seeking justice for the Lakhimpur Kheri incident and other demands including MSP, and waiving off farmer's loans, we have called for 'Rail Roko' from 12:30 PM onwards across the nation. The two forums will sit together and announce the programs given the Haryana assembly elections.Tomorrow, a Mahapanchayat will be held in UP. We appeal to everyone to participate in the Mahapanchayat in large numbers. We will hold a Mahapanchayat in Jind on September 15 and in Pipli on September 22".

He further said to ANI, "Attempts were made to crush this agitation, forces were deployed, 433 farmers were injured, Shubhkaran Singh lost his life and around 70,000 paramilitary personnel were deployed in Haryana.This agitation has become a headache for the BJP government."Now elections are scheduled in states as well. Modi government misuses central agencies, this time too, the NIA raided the house of BKU leader Sukhwinder Kaur. Look at the timing, our protest is
completing 200 days, lakhs of people are gathering for protest and raids are being done. We are not going to be scared of agencies. We will continue our protest till the demands of farmers are met."

Further making demands, Pandher asked the Central government to open the border as they will advance towards Delhi on the completion of 200 days of farmers' protest. "I am speaking from the stage of Shambhu morcha. All arrangements are underway on the completion of 200 days (of farmers' protest).

#WATCH | At the Shambhu border, farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher says, "It has been 200 days of the agitation...On 3rd October seeking justice for the Lakhimpur Kheri incident and other demands including MSP, waiving off farmer's loans, we have called for 'Rail Roko' from 12:30 pic.twitter.com/BuoAgb7jOl
ANI (@ANI) August 31, 2024

Meanwhile, Olympic wrestler Vinesh Phogat on Saturday joined protesting farmers at the Shambhu border between Punjab and Haryana and said the central government should pay heed to their demands and make it a priority to address their issues. Phogat, who was disqualified from the 50-kg final match in the recent Olympic Games held in Paris, was felicitated by the protesting farmers.

In her address, the wrestler lent her support to the farmers, saying, "I want to tell you that your daughter is with you." She also asserted that farmers' demands were not "illegitimate".

*With Agency Inputs