Serpentine queues of tractors of farmers participating in the historic Tractor march, of all brands -big and small, rustic and modern, bearing the flag of Farmers bodies and those from Punjab upholding the Nishan Sahib, in an exemplary disciplined manner, without obstructing the traffic flow of ambulances and other emergency vehicles, travelled the 10-kilometre distance between the Singhu and Tikri border and the Gazipur and Tikri borders in a unique spectacle perhaps never before seen on the streets of Delhi. Gurmeet Singh of WSN Delhi Desk reports.

THE SINGHU, TIKRI AND GAZIPUR BORDERS OF DELHI WITNESSED Young and old, men and women, and kids participating in a huge Tractor Rally passing through the villages of Haryana on the outskirts of Delhi marching on hundreds of tractors in an utmost disciplined manner giving goosebumps to onlookers and reinvigorating the spirit of the protesting farmers. Discipline, Coordination, Collaboration were the hallmarks of the Tractor March with rallies.  from Singhu to Tikri, Tikri to Singhu-Kundli, Gazipur to Palwal and from Rewasan to Palwal.

The farmers at Singhu assembled at the Rasoi Dhaba, which has been supporting the Farmers Morcha in the forenoon and after trekking cheek by jowl a distance of 10 kilometres in 5 five hours, they marched led to the Tikri Border. On the other side, the farmers at Tikri Border started their rally towards the Singhu Border. Midway the two contingents met, exchanged pleasantries, boosted each other with slogans and handshakes, with arms up in the air to demonstrate their determination. The same drill was followed, from Gazipur and Palwal.

Speaking to WSN, Balwant Singh Behramke, leader of the Bharatiya Kisan Union (Punjab) -one of the 32 Farmers Unions of Punjab said, “This is a rehearsal for the 26 January Republic Day March into Delhi. The government and the lapdog media is spreading canards about our Farmers Morcha but this march should serve as an eye-opener.”

The Kundli-Manesar-Palwal road saw the power of farmers who after informing the police and the district authorities held a march but allowed all emergency vehicles. A young Kisan participant from there said, ”We are not inhuman like the government.”

Significantly, even though all the villagers around the route were inconvenienced, there was not a single public opposition to the movement of farmers.

A delightful site was to see kids riding in solidarity in their toy tractors with love, happiness and enthusiasm.

This is a rehearsal for the 26 January Republic Day March into Delhi. The government and the lapdog media is spreading canards about our Farmers Morcha but this march should serve as an eye-opener.”

Balwant Singh Behramke, leader Bhartiya Kisan Union (Punjab)

Balwant Singh Behramke also told WSN, “We have a meeting tomorrow and though we are hopeful, we are keeping our fingers crossed. We hope that the government gets the message that truth will triumph.”

As the weather was a little less harsh in terms of rains, once again the traditional charm of the masses was back. Shoe-shining sewadars at various borders were seen repairing and preparing shoes for all and sundry.

The defence ministry during its security review was reportedly highly worried about the Delhi situation because of the farmers’ agitation. The public participation in the Indian Republic Day celebrations has been scaled down from a hundred thousand to one fourth the number. The police and paramilitary deployment will be as high as 25,000.

The Tractor March has made it clear that the farmers are going back from Delhi only after being victorious.  Will, the government’s ego take a dip and accept all five legitimate demands of farmers?