In Sikar, an agitation is being held at the farmer mandi of the district headquarters. Under the leadership of the All India Kisan Sabha, around 15,000 farmers have been protesting at the Krishi Upaj Mandi since 1 September.
Farmers have a list of demands which include a complete farm loan waiver, implementation of the recommendations of the Swaminathan Commission, the withdrawal of the 2017 ban on cattle trade, a solution to the menace of stray cattle and a pension for farmers.
For getting their demands fulfilled, farmers have disrupted the daily life by blocking entry and exit paths. Several roads connecting Jaipur to Jhunjhunu, Churu and Bikaner are blocked.
Amra Ram, a veteran CPI(M) leader from Sikar said, “We believe committing suicide is cowardice, but we’ll give our life to seek our demands”.
To sustain themselves, the farmers have divided themselves into groups of 20-25 peasants. They have used the cash to pay for utensils, gas cylinders, stoves, mattresses and other things for a long agitation.
The protesters have called for a blockade at the district collectorate to assert their demands. The earlier meeting with representatives of Vasundhara Raje administration failed to resolve the impasse but the things are expected to be resolved in another round of talks.
