Farmers' union on Wednesday announced an intensification in their agitation against the contentious farm laws by organising a series of programmes, including throwing open toll plazas in Rajasthan and organising candlelight marches across India in honour of soldiers martyred in the 2019 Pulwama attack.
The announcement of the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM), the organisation spearheading the agitation against three contentious farm laws, came soon after Prime Minister Narendra Modi finished his reply to the Motion of Thanks to the President's Address in Lok Sabha where he gave no indication of repealing the controversial laws.
Farmers' leader Darshan Pal said SKM discussed the various programmes between February 12 and February 18.
On February 12, Pal said, all road toll plazas in Rajasthan will be made toll free.
On February 14, candle marches and other programmes will be organised to remember the "sacrifice of martyred soldiers in Pulwama attack". On February 14, 2019, terrorists drove an explosive-laden SUV into a convoy of CRPF personnel killing 40 personnel.
Farmers will also organise a solidarity show on February 16 on the occasion of birth anniversary of Sir Chhoturam. On February 18, the SKM also called for a 'rail roko' agitation across the country from 12 pm to 4 pm.
On Monday, after the Rajya Sabha passed the motion of thanks, the SKM said that Prime Minister Modi has insulted the farmers, adding that they are proud to be 'aandolan jeevi' as it was agitations that liberated India from colonial rule.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday reiterated his government's support to the farmers while speaking in the Lok Sabha. He said neither any agriculture 'mandi' (market) has shut down after the three laws were enacted nor has the MSP stopped, rather the MSP has only increased which no one can deny.
Meanwhile, Congress slammed the BJP for having corporate interests as a priority. Senior leader Kapil Sibal said in Parliament on Wednesday, "Our farmers are not demanding much. The corporates are demanding exemptions, demanding cuts in taxes. You provide all relaxations what the corporates ask you. You are giving the maximum to corporates when the farmers' demands are minimum."