Why ‘Delhi Chalo’ 2.0? Unveiling the Shifts and Struggles Redefining the Farmer Protest Landscape!

In a reminiscent echo of discontent, farmers from Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh gear up for the ‘Delhi Chalo’ march, akin to the 2020 protests that captured the nation’s attention. However, this time around, the landscape appears different, marked by distinctive features that set it apart from its predecessor.

1. Reasons Behind the Protest: A Renewed Call for Justice

In 2020, farmers rallied against the contentious farm laws, leading to their eventual repeal in 2021 after a year-long struggle. Fast forward to 2024, ‘Delhi Chalo 2.0’ has been announced with a renewed set of demands. The farmers are now seeking a legal guarantee for Minimum Support Price (MSP) on all crops, the implementation of the Swaminathan Commission’s formula, full debt waiver, pensions for farmers and laborers, and the withdrawal of cases against protestors from the 2020-21 agitation.

2. Leadership Dynamics: New Faces at the Helm

The protest is now spearheaded by different unions, signifying a shift in the farmers’ union landscape. The Samyukt Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha have taken the reins for ‘Delhi Chalo 2.0.’ Notably, leaders like Rakesh Tikait and Gurnam Singh Charuni, prominent figures in the 2020 protests, are not at the forefront this time. Jagjit Singh Dallewal and Sarwan Singh Pandher are among the leaders leading the charge.

3. Notable Absences: Changing Faces of Leadership

In a notable departure from the previous protests, Rakesh Tikait and Gurnam Singh Charuni, who played pivotal roles in 2020, are absent from the current mobilization. New faces, Jagjit Singh Dallewal and Sarwan Singh Pandher, are now leading the charge.

4. Stringent Security Measures: Fortress Against Dissent

Unlike 2020, the authorities have adopted strict pre-emptive measures to hinder the march. Barbed wires, cement barricades, and road obstacles have been strategically placed to impede the progress of the protestors. Section 144 has been enforced in Delhi, and the borders between Haryana and Punjab are sealed to prevent any unauthorized entry.

5. Government Response: Negotiations Amidst Tensions

Recognizing the potential unrest, the government initiated negotiations well before the march. The first meeting between farmer leaders and Union ministers occurred on February 8, followed by another on February 12. While some concessions were made, such as the withdrawal of cases against farmers from the previous agitation, the pivotal demand for a legal guarantee of MSP remains unmet.

As the ‘Delhi Chalo 2.0’ unfolds, the nation watches with bated breath, witnessing a chapter in the ongoing saga of farmer protests with its own unique contours and challenges.

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