Protesting Farmers’ Observing ‘Black Friday’ After Tragic Incident at Punjab Border

GG News Bureau
Chandigarh, 23rd Feb. Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) leader Rakesh Tikait announced on Thursday that the protesting farmers, under the banner of the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM), will observe a ‘Black Friday’ to mourn the death of a fellow farmer at the Khanauri Border crossing in Sangrur district, Punjab. The deceased farmer’s death during the ongoing protests has deeply saddened the farming community.

Speaking exclusively to ANI, Tikait expressed the farmers’ solidarity by stating, “We will observe a ‘Black Friday’ tomorrow, mourning the death of a farmer at the Khanauri Border crossing in Punjab. We held a tractor march yesterday as well.” Additionally, Tikait declared that the farmers would conduct a tractor march on February 26, intending to mobilize towards the national capital via highways.

“On February 26, we will take tractors to the highway, heading towards Delhi. It will be a one-day program, and then we will return. Subsequently, our meetings will continue across India. On March 14, there will be a gathering at Ram Leela Ground in Delhi for one day. People will attend that event without tractors. Despite the government’s claims of non-interference, we will assess whether they impede our movement,” Tikait elaborated.

Rakesh Tikait, a prominent figure in the farmers’ agitation, had previously spearheaded protests in 2020-21, advocating for the repeal of the contentious farm laws, which were eventually withdrawn by the central government in response to widespread farmer opposition.

Meanwhile, the farmers have temporarily suspended their ‘Dilli Chalo’ protest march for two days to evaluate the situation at the Shambhu border in Haryana. The general secretary of the Punjab Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee affirmed that further decisions would be made based on the assessment. The farmer leader strongly criticized the Central Government’s use of paramilitary forces against protestors, resulting in numerous injuries.

Contrarily, Union Agriculture Minister Arjun Munda emphasized the need for continued dialogue between the government and farmers to achieve a consensus. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to addressing farmers’ concerns and working in their best interests. The protesting farmers have been stationed at the Shambhu border near Ambala since the inception of the protest, with clashes between farmers and police resulting in injuries to several individuals during the ongoing demonstration that began on February 13.