The Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM), a prominent coalition of farmers' organizations, has called for widespread nationwide protests on November 26, 2024. This significant date marks the fifth anniversary of the massive farmers' march to Delhi that ignited one of India's most substantial agricultural movements.
Commemorating Five Years of Farmer Resistance
The November 26 protests will unfold across all state capitals and district headquarters throughout India, serving as both a commemoration and a renewed call to action. This date holds profound historical significance for the farming community, as it was on November 26, 2019, that thousands of farmers began their determined march toward the national capital, initiating what would become a year-long protest at Delhi's borders.
SKM leaders have emphasized that this nationwide demonstration aims to remind the government of its unfulfilled promises to the agricultural sector. The protest also seeks to reinvigorate the farmers' movement amid ongoing challenges facing rural communities across the country.
Key Demands and Political Context
The farmers' organization has outlined several critical demands that form the foundation of their protest agenda. Foremost among these is the legal guarantee of Minimum Support Price (MSP) for all agricultural crops, a long-standing demand that was central to the previous farmers' agitation.
Additional demands include complete debt waiver for farming families, implementation of the Swaminathan Commission's recommendations in their entirety, and proper compensation for families of farmers who lost their lives during the earlier protests. The SKM has also called for the withdrawal of what they describe as "false cases" registered against farmers during protest activities.
This protest announcement comes at a crucial political juncture, with SKM positioning itself as a significant force advocating for farmers' rights regardless of which political party holds power at the center.
Strategic Planning and Expected Participation
SKM leadership has initiated detailed planning to ensure the November 26 protests achieve maximum impact. The organization has directed its state and district units to begin immediate preparations for successful demonstrations. Coordination committees are being formed at multiple administrative levels to streamline organization and mobilization efforts.
The protest is expected to draw participation from diverse farming communities across India, including agricultural laborers, tenant farmers, and sharecroppers. SKM has emphasized the inclusive nature of the upcoming demonstrations, encouraging broad participation from all segments of rural society affected by agricultural policies.
As the fifth anniversary of the historic Delhi march approaches, the November 26 protests represent a significant moment for India's agricultural community to reaffirm their demands and demonstrate continued unity in seeking policy reforms that address the ongoing crisis in the farming sector.
