The Sanyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM), a powerful coalition of farmer unions, is preparing to mark a significant milestone this Wednesday - the fifth anniversary of their historic Delhi borders protest movement. This massive agitation, which successfully pressured the government to repeal controversial farm laws, is now regrouping to push for several pending demands that remain unresolved since the 2021 protests.
Renewed Agitation for Unfulfilled Promises
On November 26, the SKM will organize a massive gathering in Chandigarh's Sector 43 while directing its units nationwide to submit memorandums addressed to the President of India. The central issue driving this renewed protest is the government's failure to honor written commitments made on December 9, 2021, following the year-long agitation that saw farmers camped at Delhi's borders for 380 days.
The coalition emphasizes that their primary demand remains the enactment of legislation guaranteeing Minimum Support Price (MSP) for all crops based on the C2+50% formula, which covers the complete cost of production plus a 50% profit margin. Farmers currently face situations where they're compelled to sell their produce below MSP, causing significant financial distress.
Key Demands and Economic Concerns
Beyond the MSP guarantee, the SKM has outlined several critical demands that address the deepening agricultural crisis. They are calling for a comprehensive loan waiver scheme covering both farmers and agricultural workers, coupled with an immediate end to debt-related harassment faced by the farming community.
The organization strongly opposes the proposed Electricity (Amendment) Bill 2025 and demands that the government halt electricity privatization initiatives without proper consultation with farming representatives. In a striking comparison, the SKM highlighted that while the central government waived over Rs 16 lakh crore of corporate debt, no substantial farm debt relief has been provided in the past eleven years.
This financial disparity has led to distress sales of essential crops including paddy, cotton, and maize, pushing many farming families into deeper economic hardship.
Commemoration and Federal Rights Campaign
The fifth-anniversary observance will include diverse activities across the nation, such as public meetings, conventions, padayatras (foot marches), bicycle yatras, and extensive door-to-door campaigns. The SKM solemnly remembers that 736 farmers lost their lives during the original 380-day struggle, a sacrifice that continues to fuel their current movement.
Under the powerful slogan "Strong States for Strong India", the coalition is launching pan-India struggles to protect federal rights. Their demands include increasing the state share in the divisible tax pool from the current 31% to 60%, along with necessary amendments to the GST Act to restore states' taxation powers.
The farmers' body has also demanded the withdrawal of the draft Seed Bill, which they allege surrenders India's seed sovereignty to corporate monopolies through predatory pricing practices.
As the farming community prepares to commemorate their historic struggle, the renewed protests signal that the agricultural sector's concerns remain urgent and unresolved, requiring immediate government attention and concrete policy actions.
