JIND: Farmers of Kandela village, epicentre of similar protests for around 50 days against the then INLD government in 2002, left their village on Tuesday to participate in the ongoing agitation against the Centre’s three agricultural laws at the Delhi borders.
They left the village in tractor trolleys after taking blessings of the “saviour bull” that emerged as the hero of the agitation in 2002 by stopping the police from entering the village for the duration of the protest. As the bull refused to budge, the police was forced to leave the village.
The bull died on December 7, 2003 and a temple was constructed in its honour at the entrance of the village, where it is worshipped as a god. When village residents step out for any auspicious work, they take blessings from the bull.
Farmers from several villages in the district are gearing up to ensure maximum participation in the agitation. “We offered prayers at the bull’s temple before leaving the village for Tikri border. Farmers will not return till their demands are met. These three laws should be repealed. We had faced a two month protest in 2002 and won after a long battle with the state government. This time too, farmers will win. Every section of society has come forward to extend their support,” said Monu Kandela, a protester.
Tek Ram Kandela, head of Kandela khap, said farmers have left the village in large numbers.
“These three laws are antifarmer, which should be revoked. Farmers are in distress at the border in such cold weather and the PM should rethink the laws,” he said.
Several farmers going from Kandela to Tikri border said, “We will force the Centre to step down over these farm laws and one day, PM Narendra Modi will have to repeal the laws. Dushyant Chautala, who sought votes in the name of farmers, is now with the saffron party. Farmers will teach all Haryana leaders supporting the BJP over farm laws issues a lesson.”