Women farmers to join 'Battle of Independence' on Republic Day?

 Whom do they want independence from? What's so wrong that has made them stand againt their own country? 

 

New Delhi, January 06: After the seventh round of talks between the farmers and the government failed to reach any concrete solution, the 'agitated' farmers are now all set to intensify their protest against the contentious farm bill passed by the Centre in the month of September. The farmers had earlier threatened to take out a 'tractor parade' to New Delhi on the occasion of Republic Day if their demands against the new agricultural laws are not met. Now joining them will be women driving tractors from Haryana’s Jind.

 

At several places across the state, women are receiving training to drive tractors, with one such session held for those belonging to Jind district, at Khatkar Toll Plaza on Jind-Patiala National Highway, on Monday.

 

Women have been present in large numbers at the protests being held by farmers at Delhi borders, now into their second month. By having women ride into the Capital on January 26 now, while riding tractors, a startling change for patriarchal Haryana, farm unions don’t just hope to attract eyeballs but also send a message that their families stand behind them in the agitation.

 

 

 

Sikkim Nain, from Safa Kheri village, in a video talk to one of the local news channels said around hundred of them from the district have been attending the training sessions at the toll plaza, with similar preparations on across the state. “This is just a trailer for the government. We will take our tractors to the Red Fort to participate in the tractor parade. It will be a historical event,” the 38 year old added.

 

“Women power has joined the battlefield now. We are not going to retreat, don’t take us lightly. This is the second battle of Independence. If we don’t fight today, what would be our reply to future generations?” she added. The protesting farmers had earlier, ahead of the seventh round of talks with the government, had said that they will take out a tractor parade towards Delhi on January 26, when the country will celebrate Republic Day, if their demands are not met.

 

 

 

Addressing a press conference, the union leaders said time has come for decisive action as their demands have not been addressed by the government yet. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson will be the chief guest at the Republic Day parade at Rajpath on January 26.