Farmers’ ‘Delhi Chalo’ march today: Why are they protesting again?

Traffic in parts of Delhi and Noida has been disrupted as farmers begin their ‘Delhi Chalo’ march towards the Parliament complex on Monday.

Organised by the Bhartiya Kisan Parishad (BKP) and farmer groups from at least 20 districts, the march aims to press the central government to meet their demands.

BKP leader Sukhbir Khalifa announced on Sunday that farmers would march to Delhi to demand compensation and benefits under the new agricultural laws.

Here’s a look at why farmers are protesting again and what their demands are this time:

What are farmers demanding this time?

Farmers, under the banners of the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (non-political) and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM), have been holding protests against the central government over several demands such as guaranteed compensation and benefits under the newly enacted agricultural laws. Since February, they have been camping at the Shambhu and Khanauri border points between Punjab and Haryana.

The planned protest comes amid the ongoing Winter Session of Parliament and has led the police to increase security measures.

The protesters are seeking a farm loan waiver, pensions for farmers and agricultural labourers, no increase in electricity tariffs, withdrawal of police cases and “justice” for the victims of the 2021 Lakhimpur Kheri violence, reinstatement of the Land Acquisition Act, 2023, and compensation for the families of farmers who lost their lives during the 2020-21 protests.

#WATCH | Uttar Pradesh | Farmers, under the aegis of BKU (Bhartiya Kisan Union) gather at Maha Maya flyover, Noida to begin their march to Delhi pic.twitter.com/kofrQCAyng

— ANI (@ANI) December 2, 2024

Further, the farmers want 10% of plots allocated and a 64.7% rise in compensation under the old acquisition law, which offers four times the market value of the land. They also demand 20% of plots on land acquired after January 1, 2014. Other demands include employment and rehabilitation benefits for the children of landless farmers and the proper settlement of populated areas.

Earlier in February, Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal and other officials met with farmers’ groups but the Centre’s proposal to procure pulses, maize, and cotton at the Minimum Support Price (MSP) through government agencies for five years was rejected.

Sarwan Singh Pandher, General Secretary of the Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee (KMSC), criticised the government and said, “They have stopped the talks with us. Contract farming is not acceptable to us. We are demanding a legal guarantee on the MSP for crops.”

Pandher also announced that farmers at the Shambhu border (Punjab-Haryana border) would join the march to Delhi on December 6, repeating their demand for a legally guaranteed MSP among other issues.

‘Delhi Chalo’ march: Traffic jams across Delhi-NCR, advisories issued

Ahead of the march, heavy traffic disruptions were reported across Delhi and Noida. Visuals showed long queues of vehicles in parts of Delhi-NCR, with heavy security deployment and police barricades in place.

#WATCH | Noida, Uttar Pradesh: Massive traffic snarl at DND flyway as farmers from Uttar Pradesh are on a march towards Delhi starting today. pic.twitter.com/HPVgEiRQUV

— ANI (@ANI) December 2, 2024

Visuals shared by news agency ANI showed vehicles crawling on the Chilla border, while the DND Flyway appeared gridlocked with vehicles stalled across 10 lanes.

“We are ready for our march towards Delhi. We will start our march towards Delhi from under the Maha Maya flyover (In Noida). At noon, all of us will reach the Parliament complex and demand our compensation and benefits as per the new laws,” BKP leader Sukhbir Khalifa said.

Meanwhile, the Delhi Police has imposed restrictions on heavy vehicles and diverted passenger traffic. Major Noida-Delhi borders are under heavy surveillance, with goods vehicles barred from routes including the Yamuna Expressway and Sirsa-Parichowk.

The Noida Police has also issued a traffic advisory, suggesting alternate routes such as:

• Chilla Border to Greater Noida: Sector 14-A flyover via Jhunjhupura Chowk.

• DND Border to Delhi: Film City flyover and Sector-18.

• Kalindi Border to Delhi: Mahamaya flyover through Sector-37.

• Greater Noida to Delhi: Via Kalindi Kunj or Hajipur underpass.

• Yamuna Expressway Traffic: Exit at Jewar toll and proceed via Khurja.

• Peripheral Expressway Traffic: Use Dadri or Dasna exits.

Commuters have been advised to rely on Metro services to avoid delays, while Noida authorities provide updates through helpline 9971009001. Emergency vehicles will be prioritised and guided to their destinations during diversions, police said in a statement.

What happened last time?

During the previous ‘Delhi Chalo’ march, farmers from various states, especially Punjab, led the ‘tractor-trolley’ protest to reach the national capital via Haryana.

The Haryana government attempted to block their entry with multi-layered barricades that included barbed wires, iron nails, boulders, and anti-riot vehicles stationed along the Punjab border. Police used tear gas, deployed drones, and water cannons to disperse the protesting farmers.

The primary demand was for a law guaranteeing a Minimum Support Price. While MSPs are set for 22 crops, including grains, pulses, oilseeds, paddy, and copra, farmers called for the lack of a legal framework ensuring these prices.

Haryana agriculture minister slams farmers

Haryana Agriculture Minister Shyan Singh Rana has criticised the upcoming farmers’ march to Delhi, claiming that it lacks legitimate issues.

“They have no issues. The previous farmers’ agitation had an issue—the three farm laws. Those three laws were later repealed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The farmers’ agitation has caused losses to Punjab,” Rana told ANI.

He further said, “Rice miller industries from Punjab moved to Bihar and Madhya Pradesh. We will not let anyone play with the law and order situation in Haryana. They should talk to their chief minister and sort out their problems.”

With inputs from agencies