New Delhi: Thousands of farmers on Monday (March 20, 2023) gathered at the Ramlila Maidan in the national capital for the ‘Kisan Mahapanchayat’ to press for a legal guarantee on the minimum support price (MSP) amid heightened security. Over 2,000 security personnel were deployed at Ramlila Maidan to ensure that the event goes smoothly.
Addressing a press conference on Sunday, the Samyukt Kisan Morcha — an umbrella body of farmers’ unions — had said that the Centre must fulfil the assurances it gave to us in writing on December 9, 2021, and also take effective steps to mitigate the ever-increasing crisis faced by farmers.
‘Kisan Mahapanchayat’ underway at Ramlila Maidan in Delhi
Farmers have gathered here to demand a legal guarantee on MSP and fulfilment of their other demands. pic.twitter.com/CMkvAj1fKd
— ANI (@ANI) March 20, 2023
Delhi | Security personnel deployed at Ramlila Maidan in view of ‘Kisan Mahapanchayat’ today pic.twitter.com/ZCQhjQJ9nF
— ANI (@ANI) March 20, 2023
It also urged the Centre to dissolve the committee on MSP, alleging that it is contrary to their demands.
The farmers’ unions’ demands also include pension, debt waiver, compensation for those who died during the farmers’ stir and withdrawal of the Electricity Bill.
“The Electricity Amendment Bill, 2022, referred to the JPC (Joint Parliamentary Committee) should be withdrawn. The Centre had given a written assurance that the bill will be introduced in Parliament only after discussion with the SKM but despite this, it introduced the Bill,” the Morcha said in its statement.
It also reiterated the demand for free power for agricultural purposes and 300 units for rural households.
It is notable that the Morcha spearheaded an over a year-long agitation against the Centre’s now-repealed farm laws.
They suspended the movement in December 2021 following a government assurance to consider the farmers’ pending demands, including the withdrawal of cases lodged against farmers during the agitation and a legal guarantee for MSP.
Kisan Mahapanchayat: Delhi Police issues traffic advisory
Meanwhile, Delhi Police said that elaborate security arrangements have been put in place to ensure that the event goes smoothly.
“We have made elaborate security arrangements for the Kisan Mahapanchayat. We will ensure the safety and security of people… We have deployed more than 2,000 security personnel to ensure that the event goes peacefully and law and order is maintained,” a senior police official said.
Police personnel will be deployed for crowd management and to ensure that no unauthorised person gains entry and disrupts law and order, he added.
According to an advisory by the Delhi Traffic Police, around 15,000-20,000 people are likely to participate in the Mahapanchayat.
Traffic Advisory
In view of Sanyukt Kisaan Morcha’s rally at Ramlila Ground, Kamla Market tomorrow ie. on March 20, 2023, commuters and motorists are advised to avoid roads around Ramlila Ground specially JLN Marg from Delhi Gate to Ajmeri Gate Chowk. pic.twitter.com/hb4o9y9vzx
— Delhi Traffic Police (@dtptraffic) March 19, 2023
The public and motorists have been advised to avoid roads around the Ramlila Maidan, especially JLN Marg from Delhi Gate to Ajmeri Gate Chowk, a traffic police official said.
