Tractor parades: A four-year evolution of protests and demands in India

BATHINDA: There may not be many parallels in tractor parades on January 26, four years apart from each other, yet a lot is being read between the lines. Unlike the tractor marches on January 26, 2021, when these were held after consultation with the Delhi Police with specific route plans, which went haywire, there is no such condition ahead of the proposed tractor marches on January 26, 2025. Then, it was planned at the Outer Ring Road of Delhi, but now more concentration is in Punjab, though calls have been given to hold tractor marches in all the states.
Different marches were planned from Tikri, Singhu, and Gazipur borders of Delhi under the banner of Sanyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM). Now, these marches have been planned separately by Sanyukt Kisan Morcha Non-Political and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha, apart from Sanyukt Kisan Morcha.
The SKM NP and KMM have decided to park the tractors outside residences/offices of the leaders of BJP, silos, and shopping malls. The SKM has planned to take out marches in villages and towns.
Considering the number of tractors reaching out to Red Fort by breaking the planned route where some unruly scenes came to the fore, the authorities are keeping an eye on plans for tractor marches this time. The day has national sanctity, with it being Republic Day when a lot of VIP movements are reported across the state and the country.
Then, the tractor marches were held with the demand for the repeal of contentious farm laws. Now, the core demand is the legal right of minimum support price (MSP) on all crops with a guarantee to purchase the crops as per C2+50%.
Many unique tractors were pulled out of the courtyards to participate in the tractor parades, including the 1968 model DT-14 tractor manufactured at Kharkiv Tractor Plant in Ukraine and many others specially refurbished for the tractor march. Many such tractors are expected this time as well, say the protesting farmers.