Farmers’ March to Delhi: A Rising Tide of Discontent

Saptrishi Soni:

On December 2, the situation in Uttar Pradesh and Delhi has taken a dramatic turn as farmers, undeterred by previous setbacks, have decided to escalate their protests. What began as a localized demonstration on November 27 at the Greater Noida Authority, quickly spread to the Yamuna Authority by November 28, and now, in its third phase, farmers are gearing up for a massive march towards Delhi. Their ultimate aim is to make their voices heard during the ongoing parliamentary session.

This protest, which has seen a growing number of participants, is expected to draw as many as 45,000 farmers, largely from regions like Gautam Buddh Nagar, Bulandshahr, Aligarh, and Agra. The farmers are marching towards Delhi to address their grievances with the central government, demanding urgent intervention and reform. They are calling for the implementation of changes that will alleviate the long-standing issues they face, primarily concerning land acquisition and compensation. These demands are not just a response to the current conditions but are an accumulation of years of frustration, particularly over the 2013 Land Acquisition Act and subsequent amendments.

At the heart of this protest is the call for fair compensation for farmers whose lands have been acquired by the government. The farmers are demanding that those affected by land acquisition prior to January 1, 2014, should receive a 10% plot and a 64.7% increase in compensation. Additionally, they are calling for four times the market price for land acquired after this date, alongside 20% of the land being returned as compensation. These demands stem from the belief that the current compensation framework fails to provide them with fair and just returns for their lost land.

Moreover, farmers are also advocating for the children of landless farmers to be given employment opportunities and support for their rehabilitation. This demand is rooted in the belief that the children of farmers who have lost their lands must be provided with avenues for a better future, particularly as they inherit the struggles of their parents. This is a demand for social and economic justice, as the agricultural community has long felt neglected by the state and central government policies.

The protests have also raised concerns regarding the effective disposal of land in urbanizing areas. Farmers argue that the government’s plans for urban expansion must ensure that the traditional way of life for rural communities is not disrupted without proper compensation and rehabilitation. These communities, they believe, are entitled to an approach that respects their rights while allowing for the progress of urbanization.

As the farmers march towards Delhi, roads are blocked, particularly around the Greater Noida area, where barricades and police forces are stationed to prevent the entry of large groups into the capital. Traffic snarls on key routes like Chilla Border, UP Gate, and Mahamaya Flyover are causing widespread inconvenience. The protest’s leaders have called for a peaceful demonstration, but the scale of the event and the emotions involved signal that this could be a defining moment for agricultural and land rights in India.

The stakes are high for both the government and the farmers, with the latter determined to make their grievances known at the highest level. As the protestors inch closer to Delhi, the larger question remains: will the government take decisive action to address these demands, or will it continue to turn a blind eye to the mounting pressure from one of the country’s most crucial sectors?

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