Farmers' Protest 2024 Highlights: SKM Plans 'Black Day' Tomorrow, Hold Tractor Rallies On Feb 26 - Top Updates

The 'Delhi Chalo' march has been postponed for two days by farmer leaders following the death of a 21-year-old protester and injuries to 12 police personnel during clashes at Khanauri, a protest site at the Punjab-Haryana interstate border.

Strict action against those responsible has been promised by Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, while the purpose of the struggle for independence has been questioned by Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.

Photo Credit: PTI

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been accused by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi of endangering farmers' lives through his arrogance.

On the other hand, it has been stated by Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur, referring to as 'brothers' and 'annadaatas', that the government is prepared to engage in discussions with the protesting farmers. Emphasis has been placed on the fact that multiple measures to enhance farmers' income have been implemented by the Modi administration.

Farmers' Protest | Top Updates

• An announcement was made by farmer leader Avik Saha, following a meeting between the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) National Coordination Committee and the General Body in Chandigarh today, stating, "All-India mega programmes are being launched starting from tomorrow."
• The first programme, Black Day or Aakrosh Diwas, is scheduled for February 23.
• On February 26, 'tractor pradarshan' (demonstration) will be held all over the country, during which farm leaders will demand the government to quit WTO.
• All India Kisan Mazdoor Mahapanchayat is set to be organized at Ramlila Maidan in Delhi on March 14, with an expected participation of lakhs of people.
• The agitation, which is scheduled to resume on Friday, has now been joined by the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM), the organization which led the farmers' protests against the now-repealed agricultural laws in 2020-21 and abstained from participating in the 'Delhi Chalo' march to the capital.
• Farmer leader Rakesh Tikait, speaking to PTI on Thursday, stated, "These are long fights. Not by one 'morcha', we will need to surround Delhi (Delhi 'gherao') from all four directions, as we did earlier. All farmers should stay together."

VIDEO | Here’s what farmer leader Rakesh Tikait said on the ongoing farmers’ protests.

“These are long fights. Not by one ‘morcha’, we will need to surround Delhi (Delhi ‘gherao’) from all four directions, as we did earlier. All farmers should stay together.”

(Full video… pic.twitter.com/KxFiPWn3a3

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) February 22, 2024

• The decision to raise the minimum price that sugar mills must pay to sugarcane farmers by Rs 25 to Rs 340 per quintal for the 2024-25 season beginning in October was made during the meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and precedes the upcoming general elections.
• A post about this decision was made by PM Modi, stating, "A historic increase in the price of sugarcane purchase has been approved. This step will benefit crores of our sugarcane producing farmers," emphasizing the government's commitment to fulfill resolutions related to the welfare of farmers.
• Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur asserted that the Centre is ready for talks with protesting farmers and highlighted various steps taken by the Modi government to ensure higher income for farmers, including doubling the Minimum Support Price (MSP) and increasing procurement.
• Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath ordered the formation of a committee to address the issues of Gautam Buddh Nagar farmers protesting against local authorities. The committee, headed by the chairman of the Uttar Pradesh Revenue Council, will discuss the farmers' concerns and submit a report to the government.
• Farmer leaders put the 'Delhi Chalo' march on hold for two days after a protester was killed and about 12 police personnel were injured in clashes at Khanauri, one of the two protest sites on the Punjab-Haryana border.
• Bharatiya Kisan Union (Charuni) members plan to block major roads across Haryana for two hours on Thursday to protest the death of a farmer at the Datta Singhwala-Khanauri border. Effigy-burning plans were scrapped due to heightened tensions.
• Subhkaran Singh, the first casualty in the ongoing farmer protests, succumbed to a head injury reportedly caused by a bullet. Singh's family and farmer organizations claimed that he was shot, sparking further tension.
• The Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) held the government responsible for the situation and called a meeting on Thursday to address the issues.
• Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann asserted that stringent action would be taken against those responsible for the death of a young farmer on the Punjab-Haryana border.
• The Haryana government extended the ban on mobile internet and bulk SMS services in seven districts till February 23 in the wake of the ongoing farmers' 'Delhi Chalo' agitation.
• In Muzaffarnagar, a farmer attempted self-immolation but was rescued by fellow protesters and taken to a nearby hospital. The farmer, Brijpal, sustained minor facial burns and received medical attention.
• BKU National Spokesperson Rakesh Tikait stated that if the government does not allow farmers to go to Delhi, the farmers also will not let them enter their villages during elections.

(With PTI Inputs)