Srinagar: To mark six months of protests at the borders of the national capital over the newly-introduced farm laws, farmers across the country observed a nationwide ‘Resistance Day’ today.
Several marches were carried out, black flags raised and effigies burnt in several cities and villages in Punjab and Haryana, and at Delhi’s borders.
In Jammu & Kashmir several farmer organizations, including the Kissan Tehreek, held symbolic protests in Jammu and Srinagar.
J&K Kissan Tekreek president Kishore Kumar led a symbolic protest in Jammu. Members of J&K Kissan Sabha also held a protest.
J&K Kissan Tehreek General Secretary Ghulam Nabi told Ziraat Times that many farmers put up black flags at their houses and on their tractors in J&K to observe ‘Black Day’ today.
Meanwhile, farmers at several places in Punjab put up black flags atop their houses on Wednesday, joining a ‘black day’ call given by protesting farmer unions to mark six months of their agitation at Delhi borders against the Centre’s three contentious farm laws.
Women farmers observed Black Day today by tying black scarf on the head to protest against central government’s pro-corporate policy and demanding legal guarantee for MSP.
Addressing farmers in one of the protests Rakesh Tikait, Bharatiya Kissan Union leader said, “We’re also carrying the tricolour. It has been 6 months now, but Govt is not listening to us. So farmers are putting up black flags. It’ll be done peacefully. We’re following COVID protocols. Nobody is coming here. People are putting up flags wherever they are.”
In a video message released on Wednesday, Haryana Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) president Gurnam Singh Chaduni said, “We are celebrating the day to oppose PM Narendra Modi. Today is the day to show your opposition for yourself and your family. Raise black flags on your rooftop and vehicles, and burn effigies of the Prime Minister. This is a fight for our economic independence.”
Farmers from Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh have been protesting at Singhu, Tikri and Ghazipur since November 26, 2020. Their last round of talks with the government was held on January 22.
Farmers have urged others, including labourers, the youth, the unemployed, traders and shopkeepers to join the protest and raise black flags at their homes, shops and industrial establishments.