Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan chants fill the air
Shouting slogans farmers, poured into Delhi on tractors, horses, cranes and motorbikes
New Delhi, Jan. 26: Chanting rang de basanti and jai jawan jai kisan numerous farmers rode tractors, motorbikes, horses and even cranes to cross the national capital’s borders into the city for their proposed parade against the three contentious farm laws.
Locals stood on both sides of the roads at various locations showering flower petals on the farmers amid drum beats.
Standing atop vehicles decked up with flags, the protesters danced to the tune of patriotic songs such as Aisa desh hai mera and Sare jahan se achcha.
“People think farmers are only meant to plough their fields. But there is much more to a farmer’s life. We also ride motorbikes and horses though we worship our tractors as it helps in earning our bread and butter.
“Today, everything is on display in this historical rally,” said Gagan Singh, a protestor riding a horse to the parade.
Parmajeet Bibi, a woman in her late 40s, who was riding a tractor said, “Women are not just cooking at community kitchens. We help men in fields and we are riding tractors in this rally to send out a strong message”.
Aditya Pajetta, a farmer from Haryana’s Yamuna Nagar, carried a 15-kg plough on his shoulder while marching from Singhu border.
“Our fight is to save this plough. Generations have been involved in farming and it will be a pity if we cannot save their legacy. I have started marching from Singhu border and will carry it to the spot where the rally will conclude,” he said.
The cranes which were part of the rally had a makeshift podium on the top with a mattress at the front for people to sit.
The Tricolour and flags of different farmer unions fluttered as marches began from Singhu, Tikri and Ghazipur border points, much ahead of the time decided for the tractor parade. Security personnel tried to convince the protesters to stick to the designated route and time and maintain peace.
“We support the demands of farmers. We survive on what they produce and it is time we stand up for them. We salute their spirit,” said Rani Devi, whose family was applying tilak to forehead of the participants.
Thousands of farmers, mostly from Punjab, Haryana and western Uttar Pradesh, have been camping at several Delhi border points since November 28, demanding a complete repeal of three farm laws and a legal guarantee on minimum support price for their crops.
It was a never seen before moment for thousands of people who gathered at roadsides and perched on the rooftops and balconies watching the tractor parade taken out by farmer unions on Tuesday.
The parade taken out from Tikri, Singhu, Ghazipur and other border points of the national capital received a warm welcome with locals showering flower petals, offering food and water and greeting them with slogans and cheers.
“I have never seen a tractor parade such as this. This is New India for me. I am recording this for my grandchildren who are too little to understand its importance now. I am sure they will thank me for this later,” said Anita Batwal, 62, retired school teacher.
Many bystanders who witnessed the parade termed the farmers their brothers and guests who were fighting for their rights.
“My husband and I have come to welcome them. They are our guests. We lost our land in UP in a court battle, we know their pain,” said Kamla from Boodhpur Delhi.
A large number of people near Anand Vihar railway station lined the roadsides and recorded the tractor parade as farmers from Ghazipur drove past. People cheered and waved at the farmers riding tractors and those walking on foot.
“It is bigger and better than what we expected. Local people cheering for us throughout the route has motivated us further. We will take what is our. Ab Delhi door nahi,” said 23-year-old Jaspal Singh from Gurdaspur in Punjab, taking part in the parade.
Local people showered flower petals at the cavalcade of tractors and other vehicles passing through Mundka village and offered food and water to the farmers.
“They are our brothers. Will do whatever it takes to help them in their struggle. They are fighting for all of us. This is just a little contribution from our end to tell them we stand by them,” said Chant Singh, 45, a local distributing food and water.
The whole nation, in fact people across the world should know about this farmers’ revolution taking place here in Delhi, said 32-year-old Jaskaran Bajwa who was busy making Facebook Live while sitting atop a brand new tractor.
The people as well as the farmers recorded the parade using cellphones, with many saying history was being scripted.