'We will not go back - we have to die some day'

[jay999]

More biased bullshit!

'We will not go back - we have to die some day': India's protesting farmers remain resolute
Farmers have left their fields, families and crops to voice concerns about new agricultural laws passed by the Indian government.

There is no let up by farmers protesting at the Singhu border in Delhi.

The passion remains the same and the numbers have grown. A large number of women protesters can be seen marching and shouting slogans against the government.

It has been more than 70 days since the farmers laid siege on the three borders of the national capital.

They have left their fields, families and crops to camp in the dead of winter and voice their concerns about the three agricultural laws passed by the Indian government.

They argue that the three laws will deregulate crop pricing, reduce income and allow private players in the sector, leaving them vulnerable to large corporations.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said the laws will help increase farmers' incomes, as they will be able to sell their crops outside designated government markets.

Eleven round of talks between the government and farmers' unions have failed to resolve the dispute. The government was even willing to suspend the laws for 18 months, but farmers would accept nothing short of repealing the laws completely.

Shamsher Singh, a 32-year-old farmer from Ropar, said "We will also not go back, we are the followers of Guru Gobind Singh (the tenth Sikh guru who transformed the Sikh faith). We have to die some day. Rather than dying in hospital taking medicines, it's better to die a martyr."

Last week passions ran high and the months of peaceful protest descended into violence as farmers marched into Delhi.

The police fired tear gas and even charged at them with batons. But they were overwhelmed and outnumbered.

Delhi police claimed 300 officers were injured.

Hundreds of protesters were injured and a farmer, 26, died when his tractor overturned after hitting a police barrier.

Protesters entered the historic Red Fort and unfurled their flag - at the very place where the prime minister makes his yearly speech on Independence Day.

It marked a symbolic moment in their resistance.

The police have arrested over 100 people for the violence.

Security has been tightened to unprecedented levels, concrete has been poured into rows of cement barricades to construct walls on roads, and iron spikes and nails have been embedded into the roads at the border.

Sky News travelled to Punjab to get a sense of what fires the protesters' emotions.

In the village of Kandala, with around 300 households, the only topic of discussion is the protest.

Sardar Sadhu Singh Sandhu, 80, told Sky News he had "never ever seen anything like this before. Whatever is happening is an injustice to the farmers".

Jasbir Singh said: "With folded hands I request Prime Minister Modi to remove the laws. We all have to die someday. It's ok if we have to now - we are as good as dead. We shall not go back till the laws are removed."

It had been pouring rain for the last four hours and the cold was biting. One could really feel for the protesters, especially the elders sitting it out.

At the home of Gurmeet Singh, 67, the family is yet to reconcile their loss. As an elder, Mr Singh was leading the protest from his village. He had organised two tractor trolleys with people, rations, and supplies to Delhi.

On the 12th day of his protest at Singhu border, he died of a heart attack.

Unable to hold her tears, his widow Jaspal Kaur said: "His tractor and cycle is standing here, I can't bear looking at it. He led people. He said it's most important for me to go, it's a matter of our village pride - my pride.

"I am very sad but I am proud of him. Everyone has to die one day - that's fate."

Breaking down, his son Sukhvir Singh said: "The government is responsible. It made these laws and people have gone there protesting and are dying."

According to a farmers' union over 200 protesters have died so far. Sky News cannot corroborate this number.

An overwhelming majority in Punjab are farmers. Almost every home in these villages has sent men and rations to the protest - a sort of a relay of keeping the supply lines open and the pressure on.

Farmers in front of the historic Red Fort during a protest against farm laws introduced by the government, in Delhi, India, January 26, 2021. REUTERS/Adnan

Farmers in front of the historic Red Fort in Delhi
On our way back we met Manjeet Singh Dalhiwal, from Jagraon, on the highway. He was carrying drinking water and rations.

"My sister in Manchester sent me money to buy these rations for the protests, we are getting support from everyone," he said.

Right-wing activists protested against singer Rihanna and environmentalist Greta Thunberg for lending their support to the farmers. They burnt posters and shouted slogans against them for interfering in the country's internal matter.

India's foreign ministry released a statement criticising "celebrities and others" for their "neither accurate nor responsible" comments, and top ministers and celebrities tweeted against "propaganda" that threatened India's unity.

Farmers' unions have called for a three-hour countrywide road blockade of state and national highways on Saturday.

https://news.sky.com/story/we-will-n...olute-12210018