Women take charge of farmers’ protests, hold 'Kisan Sansad' at Jantar Mantar

About 200 women farmers from Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and Haryana gathered at Jantar Mantar on Monday (July 26) to protest against the Centre’s three farm laws. They held a 'Kisan Sansad' to mark their protest against the government.

The women's 'Kisan Sansad' commenced with the singing of the national anthem, followed by the observation of a two-minute silence in the memory of the farmers who have died during the eight-month agitation.

The event was moderated by CPI(M) activist Subhasini Ali, who said, “Today's 'sansad' will showcase the strength of women. Women can farm as well run the country, and today everybody here is a politician.” She added, “The government keeps calling us by different names like terrorists, Khalistanis, etc. But if they have the strength, then they should not eat the food produced by these terrorists and Khalistanis.”

Bollywood actress Gul Panag and social activist Medha Patkar also joined the protests against the government Jantar Mantar. Neetu Khanna, a farmer leader, said it is shameful that the government is mistreating the farmers when “they are the ones who keep the country alive”.

The focus of Monday's 'Kisan Sansad' was the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act, 2020 and the farmers' demand for the enactment of a law guaranteeing remunerative minimum support price (MSP) for their crops. Farmers have been protesting on different borders on the National Capital since November 26 last year against the three newly enacted farm laws.