On December 11 (Saturday), when the agitation against the three farm laws at the Delhi borders would complete 380 days, farmers will return home victorious. Tractor trolleys and buses will ferry the farmers to their homes in Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh. By December 15, all the protests at the toll plazas would have ended in Punjab and Haryana, allowing them to collect toll.
The final call to end the historic agitation came after the Centre sent a formal letter to Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM), agreeing to several pending demands. The farmers, who are suspending the protest, will hold a meeting on January 15 to review how the government is holding up its end with regard to the demands. “The battle has been won, but the war to ensure farmers' rights, especially to secure MSP as a legal entitlement for all farmers, will continue,” farmer leader B.S. Rajewal said.
SKM, an umbrella body of farmer organisations, said it dedicates the “fabulous and historic” victory of the struggle to around 715 martyrs of the movement, including those in Lakhimpur Kheri.
“We congratulates all the protesting farmers and citizens, and their supporters wholeheartedly for waging an unprecedented struggle and for the glorious gains of the movement. Farmers' unity, peace and patience has been the key to the victory and this will not be allowed to erode under any circumstances. We have decided to collectively to stay alert and ensure that promises are kept.”
On the decision to return to their homes on Saturday, SKM said it was done taking into consideration the fact that the nation was mourning the demise of Chief of Defence Staff Gen Bipin Rawat and others killed in the chopper crash. The forum has also decided to postpone all victory celebrations. They will take out celebratory rallies on Saturday, when farmers leave the morcha sites together.
Senior farmer leaders had gathered at Singhu Border to discuss the letter of assurance sent by the government. The farmer leaders thanked the local communities at morcha sites for their patience and support throughout the agitation, and offered apologies for the inconveniences.
The leaders also thanked volunteers, trade unions, women's organisations, youth and student outfits who extended support to the agitation, lawyers who offered legal aid, doctors who set up medical camps, various religious bodies that set up langars, progressive organisations, including human rights groups who stood in support, numerous artists who constantly backed the movement, NRIs and international farmers' organisations.
