100 days of farm protest: Farmers observe Black Saturday, mega rallies on March 8 and 15

As the protest against three contentious farm laws completed 100 days on Saturday, various farmers’ organisations and workers' unions observed black day across the country.

Hundreds of farmers holding black flags along with industrial workers were seen walking on the KMP highway leading to Delhi near the Singhu border on Saturday morning.

Similar protests were observed at other protest sites including the Ghazipur border where farmers from western Uttar Pradesh have been sitting for the last 100 days, demanding annulment of the newly enacted laws.

Talking to NH, All Indian Kisan Sabha (AIKS) leader Hannan Mollah said farmers observed black day because they consider the government's apathy towards farmers as a black spot on democracy.

Saying that “silence on part of the Modi government is a sign of conspiracy”, Mollah emphasised, “We will not retreat until the laws are repealed. We are ready to protest for the next 1000 days.”

It is worth recalling here that 11 rounds of talks between the farm leaders and the government have failed to yield any result. Lakhs of farmers’ have been sitting at Singhu, Tikri, and Ghazipur borders of the national capital since November 26, demanding the repeal of laws.

Outlining the future course of action, Mollah said that various farm organisations have planned mega protests in the coming days.

“On International Women’s Day – 8 March, women will hold protest marches across the country. From farmers to industrial workers to social activists, lakhs of women will hold rallies, march, dharnas across the country against the laws.”

“Again, on March 15 workers, farmers and bank employees will hold massive demonstrations across the country against the privatisation and corporatisation of public sector banks,” added Mollah.

Saying that though the core demand of the farm agitation remains annulment of the new farm laws, Mollah explained that the movement has widened its social base also and has now become more inclusive.

“This movement is also against the brazen corporatisation being done under the watch of the Modi government. From within this movement, voices are also emerging against the privatisation, loot of resources and public property, injustice against Dalits, Adivasis …Now it has become a beautiful rainbow of India’s diversity and dissent,” added Mollah.