Samyukta Kisan Morcha to observe May 26 as 'Black Day'
Samyukta Kisan Morcha, an umbrella body of over 40 farmer unions, on Saturday announced that it will observe May 26 as "Black Day," marking six months of their protest at Delhi's borders against the three farm laws. Farmer leader Balbir Singh Rajewal appealed to people to raise black flags at their houses, vehicles, and shops on May 26 to protest against the contentious legislation.
Farmers had reached Delhi's borders on November 26
"On May 26, we will complete six months of this protest and it also happens to mark seven years since PM Modi formed the government. We will observe it as black day," Rajewal said. A large number of farmers had reached Delhi's borders on November 26 after facing water cannons and police barriers as part of their "Delhi Chalo" march against the farm laws.
Rajewal appealed to people to support the call
Thousands of farmers from across the country joined the protest in the following months at Tikri, Singhu, and Ghazipur borders around the national capital. Rajewal appealed to people to support the call for observing the black day on May 26.
We will also burn effigies of PM Modi: Rajewal
"We appeal to people of the country and also Punjab to hang black flags. We will also burn effigies of PM Narendra Modi as a form of protest," he added. He said that the government has not heard the farmers' demands to repeal the three farm laws and "with increasing prices of fertilizers, diesel, and petrol, the farming business is not possible."
Government has maintained that laws are pro-farmer
Farmers have been camping since November 2020 demanding that Farmers' Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2020, Farmers' (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Act, 2020, and the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act, 2020 be rolled back and new law should be made to guarantee minimum support price for crops. However, the government has maintained that laws are pro-farmer.
