Motorcycle rally marks ‘black day’ I PM’s effigies burnt across state I Protest trends on social media
Farmers raise slogans and hoist black flags to mark six months of their ongoing struggle at the Singhu border on Wednesday. Photo: Mukesh Aggarwal
Ravinder Saini & Mukesh Tandon
Tribune News Service
Jhajjar/Panipat, May 26
On the call of the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM), protesting farmers on Wednesday observed a ‘black day’ at the Tikri and Singhu borders on the completion of six months of the ongoing agitation against three farm laws.
The day also marked the completion of seven years of the Centre’s formation.
At Tikri, where farmers from Punjab and Haryana have been camping for the past six months, a festive mood prevailed on Wednesday with black flags hoisted on every hut and vehicle. Women donned black salwar-suit and dupatta while men wore black badges on their arms to mark the day. The Sikh protesters tied black cloth on their turbans.
Young protesters put up a show of unity by taking out a bike rally from Tikri to Dhansa border while passing through various villages. A play describing the Centre’s intentions for the farm laws and movement was also staged by artistes from Punjab at the main protest site.
Residents from nearby villages holding black flags in their hands reached the border and expressed their solidarity. “Today’s protest was not only an epitome of farmers’ strength but also a slap on the face of the Centre, which is using all unfair means to sabotage the historical stir. We have been here for the past six months despite all odds and are prepared to spend as much time as needed to win this battle. So, the Centre should repeal the three laws without testing us more,” said Parminder Singh, a protester.
Purushottam Singh Gill, a senior BKU (Lakhowal) leader, claimed the protest evoked an overwhelming response as people from every section of society contributed by hoisting black flags on their rooftops or vehicles. “The success of today’s protest is a clear indication that we are heading in the right direction,” he added.
At Singhu, the protesters hoisted black flags at the main stage, on their tents, bamboo huts, tractor-trailers and two-wheelers. They also celebrated Buddha Purnima
Various SKM leaders said May 26 was marked as a “black day” for farmers, with lakhs of citizens expressing their resistance against the Centre in numerous ways. Multiple hashtags in support of the movement trended on social media since the morning, they claimed.
Govt was mistakenThe stir will continue until our demands are met. The Centre thought that it would come to an end if prolonged. The government was mistaken. In six months, the stir has spread across the country.— Gurnam S Charuni, BKU (Charuni) chief
Meanwhile, effigies of the Prime Minister were also burnt at Tikri, Pakoda Chowk in Bahadurgarh, the main gate of the kisan office at Singhu and across the state.
Ambala: BKU activists burnt effigies of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Ambala and Kurukshetra. Leaders of the Congress, AAP and Haryana Democratic Front hoisted back flags on the rooftops of their homes.
BKU chief Gurnam Singh Charuni appealed to Uttar Pradesh farmers to start opposing BJP leaders as the elections were scheduled in the state next year.
Karnal/Kaithal: Farmers burnt the effigies of Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Bastara toll plaza on the NH-44 in Karnal district, and at Titram Mor in Kaithal district. They also protested at Pehowa chowk, Pundri, Pai, Kalayat in Kaithal district.
Tajinder Singh, a protester, said: “Farmers faced extreme cold and now they are protesting in scorching heat. We will not go back until the three laws are revoked.”
Another protester Manju “We are not excited to observe ‘black day’. The Modi government has left us with no option, but to protest.”
Rohtak: Farmers burnt the effigy of the Union Government outside Mansarovar Park here. They also celebrated the festival of Budhha Purnima. They reiterated that the government must revoke the three controversial farm laws.
The effigies were also burnt in Sonepat and Panipat.
Cong doesn’t want stir to succeed: Vij
Chandigarh: The Congress doesn’t want the farmers’ movement to succeed and was not in their interests, said Home Minister Anil Vij. Interacting with the media on Wednesday, he said, “Everyone has a right to protest in independent India. The Congress and other parties are hiding behind the farmers’ movement and have been exposed. They don’t want the movement to succeed.” He pointed out that he and even farmers’ leaders had written to the Union Agriculture Minister for starting talks again. TNS
Should start talks with farmers: Selja
Chandigarh: Haryana Pradesh Congress Committee chief Kumari Selja on Wednesday supported the “black day” observed by farmers and appealed to the Central government to accept their demands. She said the BJP government at the Centre should immediately “do away with its ego” and start the process of dialogue with the farmers and withdraw the black laws. Besides, the Haryana Government should withdraw the cases registered against farmers in the state during the agitation. TNS