‘We are farmers, not terrorists; Why should we wait for Dec 3 for talks?’: Farmers at Ghaziabad-Delhi border

Undeterred by the chilly winter weather, hundreds of farmers, demanding a roll back of the recently-enacted farm laws, spent Saturday night under a flyover near Ghaziabad-Delhi border.

Led by Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU), thousands of farmers are determined to fight against the laws enacted by the Centre for as long as it takes.

“Why does the government not allow us to protest at India Gate, Jantar Mantar or Ramlila Maidan? What harm will we do to Delhi?” asked a farmer.

Though Delhi Police gave them permission to go to a designated ground in Burari on Saturday, farmers said their preference is India Gate, Jantar Mantar or Ramlila Maidan

“We are farmers, not terrorists,” roared a 60-year-old farmer who came from Meerut along with 20-30 people.

Attacking the Modi government for enacting the ‘anti-farmer’, ‘anti-people’ laws, Kaushal Veer Singh, a BKU activist said, “Why should we go to the ground in Burari?  And why should we wait for December 3 to talk? Is that date auspicious for talking?”

“If needed, we can stay put here, under the flyover, for months,” said another young BKU activist.

Kaushal Veer Singh said the BJP government is using COVID-19 as a pretext to curb and suppress the movement.

BKU leader Rakesh Tikait is scheduled to chair a meeting to decide the future course of action on Sunday even as more farmers are set to join the protest later on in the day. In the coming days, you will see a massive protest, said another farmer.

“New farm laws are designed to help a few corporations control agriculture,” said Kaushal, adding that the BKU had appealed to village heads and influential people to join the protest.