Though the spirit of the protesting farmers is sky high, the ground zero situation is bad, despite herculean efforts by the farmers to keep the environs of their protest clean and liveable. With aid support coming from DSGMC, Ludhiana professionals, the Hemkunt Foundation and many others like Khalsa Aid, United Sikhs and others who desire to stay anonymous already at the protest site, there is still need for the Delhi government to positively intervene and send emergency support and medical health care. WSN editor Jagmohan Singh writes an Open Letter to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal appealing for immediate aid at the Farmers Morcha.

DEAR ARVIND KEJRIWAL: Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh! The tearing of the farm bills on the floor of the House of the Delhi Assembly endeared you and your government to the protesting farmers in Delhi. Yet so far too little has been done officially by the Delhi government and the AAP party cadres to alleviate the suffering of the farmers living in icy cold conditions with minimal resources of protection on the borders of Delhi.

It is 45 days and the farmers from Punjab, Haryana, Western Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and from even Western India -Gujarat and Maharashtra have shown exemplary discipline, patience and peaceful demonstration sticking to their demand for the repeal of unacceptable Farm laws.

In the last 48 hours, it has been raining incessantly and waterlogging near the trolleys and makeshift tent accommodation has made life difficult for the men, women and children, the young and the elderly, camping on the five borders encircling Delhi. Beddings have been soaked in water, a lot of tents have been rendered unusable.

Let it be said that the situation has been worsened due to bad construction of roads and the resultant waterlogging and water flow on the slopes of the badly laid roads and virtually zero sanitation facilities.

You have visited the Singhu Border twice in the last month and you had openly challenged the BJP Union government for a debate with the farmers on what is good for them and what is not.

Let me say that the farmers have debated enough over seven meetings and even though another meeting is scheduled in two days, the government of India has shown its mind that it is not going to budge from its stand and that the disputed bills would stay on the statute. They are also unwilling willing to make a legal commitment on Minimum Support Price for 23 farm products and to withdraw an ordinance on Electricity charges and shelve a plan to impose heavy penalties for stubble burning.

Today, Mr Chief Minister, it is time for action.

When the farmers reached Delhi on 25 November, the government within days went into top gear and set up large tents at Burari for the farmers and also put up temporary sanitation and toilet facilities for the protesting farmers there. Though they were put up by the Union government, this step would not have been done without a nod from the Delhi government.

My question is simple: It is the duty of the state to protect the rights, safety and health of its citizens. If the government of Haryana is inhumane and the government of India is unconcerned, the AAP party government must spare no effort from now onwards to make the conditions liveable for the protesting farmers who have come from afar and are determined to take the farmers’ struggle reaches its logical conclusion.

The Delhi government must press into action and make available all emergency and disaster management resources under its control on a war footing to enable the farmers to tide over the inclement weather. There is all likelihood of a breakout of a health catastrophe if immediate and urgent action is not taken.

Due to heavy rains from the last three days, there is waterlogging and filth on the National Highways and the roads and streets approaching the Singhu, Tikri and Gazipur borders and a large part of the areas has been turned into grounds of waste and dirty small ponds. Rohtak Road leading to Tikri is completely blocked at Tikri Kalan Metro Station where even a cow cannot pass by leaving alone human beings.

No one, including you, is raising any voice of protest. The other roads leading to farmers are being dug by Delhi Police so that activists and sewadars cannot reach with needs and aid material. Will you please raise a concern?

The pathetic condition is not just a creation of the rains. The whole environment is a sad reflection on the working of the National Highway Authority of India, which collects millions of rupees as toll tax but does precious little for proper construction and maintenance of roads.

The situation is grim and is inviting a pandemic outbreak because of the decaying filth. Though volunteers are doing their best, the logistics are against them.

A row of fully-equipped Ambulances with doctors on board should be deployed on all borders.

A row of fully-equipped Ambulances with doctors on board should be deployed on all borders. On the five main borders where farmers are protesting and at Burari, at least two ambulances each should be made available for round the clock needs. Farmers are dying and the number is close to 55. If nothing is done now these numbers will increase.

The Rainn-Baseras -temporary shelters for the homeless in Delhi have been appreciated. It is time to extend this service for the protesting farmers as it is clear to everyone that this is going to be a long agitation.

Prime Minister Modi will continue to stick to his wrong stand and this haughtiness will cost lives. You and your government can at least save lives, while the farmers wage their struggle with the Indian government.

Prime Minister Modi will continue to stick to his wrong stand and this haughtiness will cost lives. You and your government can at least save lives, while the farmers wage their struggle with the Indian government.

During the initial COVID19 lockdown periods, the Delhi government converted buses into makeshift hospitals. Can we not do the same now for the protesting farmers as non-governmental and religious organisations from Delhi and Punjab have already started to make available buses as temporary abodes.

I fail to understand as to why a hearse van has not been made available, at least on humanitarian grounds, in view of the fact there are regular 1-2 deaths on the Delhi borders.

History is recording everything and this time on a visual media. All acts of commission and of course omission of the leadership of the country, including those who ostensibly support them is being noted and recorded for posterity.

Mobile toilets with proper sanitation and cleaning must be available throughout the stretch of the lengthy highways where the protestors are camping. We do not expect the Swach Abhiyan from the Union government, but the farmers are looking forward to the magnanimity of the AAP government.

In the past, the cabinet and team of AAP have been at a protest in the Raj Bhavan against the Centre’s delay and autocratic behaviour. Why can’t you do it now?

History is recording everything and this time on a visual media. All acts of commission and of course omission of the leadership of the country, including those who ostensibly support them is being noted and recorded for posterity. You owe it to history and to your image and mission to stand with the oppressed and repressed.

In the past, the cabinet and team of AAP have been at a protest in the Raj Bhavan against the Centre’s delay and autocratic behaviour. Why can’t you do it now?

As you tore the farm bills in the Delhi Assembly, kindly do not wait for another catastrophe to happen before you tear down all hindrances -administrative and political to save the situation on your borders. and protect the lives of the Annadata -the provider of grains for the hungry of the world!

Awaiting your next step.

Jagmohan Singh
Editor, The World Sikh News

 

Photo credits: Arvind Kejriwal photo: Scroll.in
Farmers Morcha Photos and Videos: Gurmeet Singh of WSN Delhi Desk