Farmers from several parts of the country, mainly from Punjab, on Thursday gathered in large numbers at the iconic Ramlila Maidan in Delhi for the “Kisan Mazdoor Mahapanchayat” organised by the farmer unions to push their demands and to protest against those government policies they feel are not in their favour.

They pledged to continue with their protest till their demands are met.

The Samyukta Kisan Morcha, (SKM), which gave the call for the Mahapanchayat, urged the farmers to convert the ongoing farmers’ and workers’ struggle into a big people’s movement to protect their livelihood from corporate.

Farmer leader Rakesh Tikait, who was also present on the occasion, told reporters that the meeting of the farmer unions has sent a message to the government that the farmers are united, and their issues must be resolved through talks, and this agitation is not going to end till then.

An appeal was also made by the farmer unions with a call given by the Mahapanchayat to observe March 23, 2024, as ‘Save Democracy’ against the alleged ‘anti-people’ policies of the Central government across all villages across the country.

The farmer unions have also been camping at the Haryana-Punjab’s Shambhu and Khanauri borders since February 13, with their primary demand of a legal guarantee of MSP.

The initial call was given by the two farmer unions to head towards Delhi “Delhi Chalo,” while the farmers were stopped from moving ahead before they could enter Haryana.

The Central government, so far, held four rounds of talks with the farmer leaders, but they did not reach any conclusion, despite Centre assuring a guaranteed purchase of five crops at MSP, if the farmer starts to cultivate crops other than wheat and paddy.

The government also proposed another round of talks. However, they are yet to take place.

Meanwhile, Delhi witnessed traffic snarls around the central areas close to the Ramlila grounds in the wake of security being stepped up for checking vehicles in the central parts of the city.

The traffic moved at a snail’s pace in parts of central Delhi as several diversions were in place in view of “mahapanchayat” at the Ramlila maidan.

Traffic was also reportedly affected at ITO, Delhi Gate, and near Sarai Kale Khan, including some other places.

The police had put in place adequate security personnel at and around the main venue for the event, while cops also managed the movement of traffic to reduce problems for the commuters.