Reaction- #FarmersProtest Delhi encampment ends
The #FarmersProtest encampment in-and-around Delhi ended this weekend, as the stand-off against the Indian government ended after the repeal of the disputed three farm laws forced on the agricultural sector last year.
The announcement of the repeal came last month from India Prime Minister Narendra Modi and farmer union bodies have been negotiating with the government on farmer demands since. After agreements became official, farmer groups, led by the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) union, agreed to end the encampment of Delhi’s borders on December 11th. The end of the camps came with a final “Fateh March” (Victory March) back towards Punjab and other states the farmers had come from.
Read on to see how the end of this historic protest was commemorated by Sikhs and others across the world.
Celebration and relief
Along with enjoying the celebrations, much of the reaction online centred around relief that the farmers finally got to go home after over a year living in harsh conditions and under the threat of violence from police and nationalist mobs working with them. This was especially true for the likes of Baba Santokh Singh, who became a famous face of the #FarmersProtest after being shot in the face with a tear-gas shell by police, causing him damage to his eye. The site of Baba returning home from the camp was welcomed by many.
The impression of the #FarmersProtest camp on locals
One of the stand-out impressions the #FarmersProtest left was through the positive impact the protest camps had on the surrounding areas around Delhi. Through setting up libraries, schools and langar (Sikh communal kitchen service), for many the #FarmersProtest showcased an example of the impact a Sikh centred way of life can have on impoverished Indian populations.
Tributes to farmer shaheeds (martyrs)
The fight continues
Despite the celebrations as the camps around Delhi are brought to an end, the #FarmersProtest movement has not ended. The battle for MSP (Minimum Support Price for crops) and support for ongoing farmers issues in India and beyond remain and now have more support than ever.
What next?
Farmer groups have set a date of January 15th for a review of government action on the agreed actions for the protest to end. This includes compensation for losses endured by farmers, particularly for the families that lost someone through the movement, the protesters still imprisoned and facing charges, legal progress on charging those behind the Lakhimpur terror attack against farmer protesters, and of course MSP for more produce.
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