Massive protests to mark 1 year of farmers' agitation today

New Delhi: Massive protests on Friday in Delhi, and other places, will mark one year of what the farmers called as "historic struggle" to demand repeal of the three contentious farm laws.

The farmers' movement had begun with a call of 'Dilli Chalo' on November 26-27 last year not just protesting the three farm laws but also putting forth several other demands.

The Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM), a consortium of 40-odd farmers' organisations, said in a release: "The fact that such a long struggle has to be waged is a clear reflection on the insensitivity and arrogance of India's Government towards its toiling citizens."

"Over the course of twelve months of one of the largest and longest protest movements across the world and in history, crores of people took part in the movement which spread to every state, every district and every village of India," SKM said.

A meeting of Samyukta Kisan Morcha will be held on November 27 at Singhu Morcha. In the meeting, the farm unions will take a decision regarding the further course of action, the release said.

After an announcement by Prime Minister Narendra Modi last Friday to repeal the three farm laws, the cabinet had on Wednesday approved its repeal and also said the formality in the Parliament will be done at the earliest.

Stating that apart from the Government's decision and Cabinet ratification of repeal of the three anti-farmer laws, the movement achieved several victories for the farmers, common citizens and the nation at large, the SKM statement said: "The movement created a sense of unified identity for the farmers, cutting across regional, religious or caste divisions, farmers are discovering a newfound sense of dignity and pride in their identity as farmers, and their assertion as citizens. It has deepened the roots of democracy and secularism in India."

The SKM expressed its deep appreciation to all the participants and supporters of the movement, and reiterated once again that the repeal of the three anti-farmer laws is only the first major victory of the movement.

"SKM is awaiting the fulfillment of the remaining legitimate demands of the protesting farmers," it said.