Protesting farmers offer langar to cops in India

Taking police force aggression and tear gas shelling, protesting farmers displayed a strange but big-hearted gesture by offering food and water to the same policemen in the aftermath of widespread protests across borders of India’s capital New Delhi.

Several videos surface internet showing farmers serving food and water to police officers who are even dressed in uniform or riot gear and were trying to stop them from entering the capital. According to information, all the protesting farmers have brought their own dry food items and other essentials to make food in the community kitchens (langar). And, in some areas, local people are also preparing and distributing food and shelter to the protestors, which includes New Delhi’s Burari ground.

Not only gurdwaras have come forward offering langar to protestors, but several other private Dhaba (Traditional Restaurant) owners have stood up to help farmers in their struggle against black laws introduced by Indian Government including Amrik Sukhdev Dhaba situated on the national highway which offered free food to all farmers.

Following 2 days confrontation from Haryana police at several entries and exit points of the state, farmers were offered a passage to Delhi’s safe ground to protest, for which they refused by mentioning that it is too late now. However, isolating capital, farmer bodies are now blocking all the entry and exits points of New Delhi, which might cause panic among people and government.

Carrying black flags and shouting slogans, around half a million farmers in India are marching towards the capital New Delhi to demonstrate their protest against BJP-led government over ‘new farm Laws’ introduced by the national parliament.

In a determined bid to push their way through barricades, extensive water cannons and tear gas attacks to reach the capitol following (Dilli Chalo) go to Delhi march, farmers managed to cross over a BJP-ruled state full of barriers.

National coordinator of Farmer's wing, Rakesh Kumar Singh told a local news channel that if Prime Minister Narendra Modi is claiming that the new laws introduced by BJP are in the interest of farmers, why does he shy away from meeting the local bodies of protesting farmers.

According to sources, New Delhi has become a fortress which is being guarded by the national paramilitary forces and massive police force from several BJP-ruled states of India.

However, several footages are getting viral on social media platforms which shows that thousands of farmers are on roads walking towards the capital with a determined mind to reverse the black law of farming. Waving flags of their respective trade union or farmers welfare union, they are using tractors to remove the obstacles laid by state police to halt their ways.

Senior Farmer Leader told WIC News: “If our national leadership thinks that they can stop us by using force or blocking roads, I must tell them this is not going to happen. We will succeed, and we will triumph Delhi no matter how long do we have to march or whatever the obstacle comes on our way.”

Modi led-BJP government is acting firm on their decision on the amendment in farming laws. Whereas, Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar had invited farmer bodies to Delhi on December 3 to discuss the issue and urged the farmers to go safe places designated by Delhi police including Burari ground.

What are the laws Farmers Opposing?

The central government introduced 3 farm legislation, which introduced the beginning of the private sector in the procurement of farming produce which was previously under government jurisdiction only. Farmers unions are protesting against Modi government to either withdraw the three laws passed in the national parliament or guarantee them a Minimum Support Price (MSP) for their crops by induction of anther law.