Four more farmers have died yesterday on Delhi borders while protesting for their demands. More than 50 farmers have lost their lives so far. The Bravehearts have been fighting for repealing of the three agriculture laws which they believe will strip them of their profits and throw them under the mercy of big corporates.
The protecting farmers have not only faced barricades, police lathis, tear gas, water in the winter but also allegations such as ‘Naxals’ and ‘Khalistanis’.
Since the beginning of the protest, many farmers kept battling the harsh weather and still did not give up. The first death had happened on September 18 when Preetam Singh, 65, of Akkanwali of Mansa village, consumed sulphas tablets at a dharna outside former chief minister Parkash Singh Badal’s house.
A 75-year-old farmer allegedly died by suicide at a farmer protest site in Uttar Pradesh’s Ghaziabad on Saturday morning. He was a part of the protest since November 28 and in his suicide note, he blamed the government for not accepting the demands of the farmers.
A 57-year-old farmer from Uttar Pradesh’s Baghpat died at the protest site on Friday. The cause of his death could not be learned as his family refused permission for a post mortem. His brother said that the deceased had complained of breathlessness on Friday morning and died later.
While a 32-year-old farmer from Haryana’s Sonipat was found dead at Tikri border on Tuesday morning. Another young farmer aged 22 from Bhatinda after returning from the protest committed suicide by consuming a poisonous substance.
A ‘sant’ shot himself at Singhu borders citing he couldn’t see the plight of the farmers.
Few died of suicide and some dur to the cold, and few of heart attack. These deceased persons were Indian citizens and were assets of the country who were engaged in their work thereby adding to the development of the country.
It’s more than one month now that lakhs of farmers comprising aged persons, children, women and even physically challenged are sitting on the borders of the national capital under open skies in biting cold without basic facilities.
India of 2021 is embarrassed if its lacs of citizens are sitting on the borders of its national capital under open skies in biting cold, it’s greatness is impacted and its democratic sensitivity is affected.
India needs higher levels of sensitivity.
The farmers have been demanding the withdrawal of the three laws and legal guarantee for minimum support price (MSP) which is declared every year by the Centre for 23 crops while the government has assured them that it will accept their two more demands related to stubble burning and electricity subsidies.
Farmers' protest is going on at Singhu border, Tikri border and Ghazipur border amid severe cold condition in Delhi and NCR.
Even after several rounds of talks between the Centre and the farmers’ unions the deadlock has remained inconclusive. Ahead of the seventh round of talks today, the farmers remain stern with their key demand or they won’t leave the protesting site.
But in between the fight of the farmers and the government the country has lost many of its sons who were hardworking and loved their lands.
Also Read: Centre-Farmers round 7 talks today on repeal of laws, support prices
Punjab government has offered compensation to the families of the deceased farmers, but can money bring back the dead?
Amid all these, the only who has lost the loved ones will know the pain.