Patiala: A group of 55 farmers associated with the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) is set to begin a march towards Delhi, carrying soil from the Khanauri border protest site where farmer Shubhkaran Singh died during the farmers’ agitation.
The group is scheduled to leave from Gurudwara Datawala on Sunday and plans to reach Delhi by August 29. Farmers have described the programme as a peaceful initiative aimed at putting their demands before the Centre and registering their opposition to the India-US trade agreement.
March planned in phases
Unlike the large tractor-trolley marches seen during earlier phases of the farmers’ agitation, the proposed journey will involve a relatively small group.
Farmer leaders said one participant will undertake most of the journey on foot, while other members will accompany him and carry essential belongings. The group will take breaks at designated points and cover the distance in stages.
After reaching Delhi, the farmers plan to organise a one-day Kisan Panchayat at Jantar Mantar on August 29. They are also expected to seek an opportunity to submit a memorandum outlining their demands to the central government.
Dallewal rules out confrontation
Farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal said the group has no intention of creating a confrontation with authorities. Reacting to reports of increased security around Khanauri, he said the farmers would continue their journey peacefully.
Dallewal argued that the small size of the group leaves little justification for stopping the march. He said the farmers are travelling without a large fleet of tractors or trolleys and are instead choosing to proceed on foot.
According to him, if authorities prevent even a peaceful group of farmers from walking towards Delhi, it would raise questions about the government’s willingness to engage with their concerns.
Shubhkaran Singh’s memory at centre of march
Carrying soil from Khanauri has been planned as a symbolic part of the journey. Farmers intend to take the soil from the protest site to Delhi as a tribute to Shubhkaran Singh, whose death became one of the defining moments of the farmers’ agitation.
The gesture is also expected to underline the farmers’ continuing demand that issues associated with the previous protests be addressed.
US trade agreement becomes another flashpoint
Apart from their existing demands, the farmers are placing opposition to the trade agreement with the United States prominently on the agenda.
Dallewal has claimed that the agreement could adversely affect Indian agriculture and the wider economy. Farmer organisations want the Centre to address their concerns and explain how the deal could affect the farming community.
The proposed march therefore combines a symbolic tribute with a fresh attempt to bring farmers’ demands back into the national spotlight.
For the farmers, the message is straightforward: they intend to reach Delhi peacefully, hold their proposed gathering and place their concerns before the government without repeating the large-scale confrontation witnessed during earlier attempts to enter the national capital.
