AMRITSAR/GURDASPUR: To avoid traffic jams, police barriers and other unforeseen obstacles, farmers and their family members will start moving to Delhi on their tractor-trolleys from Tuesday to participate in the proposed January 26 tractor rally to mount pressure on the Centre to scrap the three contentious agriculture laws.
TOI on Monday toured several villages of Amritsar and adjoining Gurdaspur district to find that many farmers and their family members were busy packing their belongings, including food, clothing, water, knickknacks etc.
Pointing to his tractor-trolley, farmer Gurnam Singh said he got his tractor-trolley painted a couple of days ago and was carrying a large quantity of ‘gur’ and other eatables with him for distributing among farmers who are protesting to demand withdrawal of the three laws. “Every consecutive meeting held so far between our representatives and government showed a ray of hope, but only left us disappointed,” he said, adding that farmers were of the view that the struggle would go on longer.
Gurbachan Kaur (31), wife of Sardara Singh, said her husband wanted to go alone, but she insisted on accompanying him. “Why should the men go alone and fight for the rights of a family while, upon succeeding, every member of the family will reap equal fruits,” she said, adding that every woman should accompany men in this sacred endeavor. “History will be scripted out of this struggle and I want my name to be there,” she said.
Gurbachan Singh Chabba of Kisan Mazdur Sangarash Committee said they were sending a jatha of tractors from Amritsar on Tuesday . “Every second day, a new jatha will be marching to Delhi and will return only after the three farm laws are scrapped,” he said. He said the government might try to create obstacles in their way to reach Delhi, but farmers were committed.