Farmer Protest: "'Jatha' will leave for Delhi tomorrow," says farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher

New Delhi [India], December 5 (ANI): Farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher announced on Thursday that a 'jatha' (group) will embark on a march to Delhi at 1 PM on Friday from the Shambhu border protest site.
Speaking to ANI, Pandher emphasised that the protesters are committed to not giving the Central government any grounds to label them as 'arrogant.'
"The jatha will leave from here (for Delhi) tomorrow at 1 PM. I hope the government sends a positive message and does not obstruct us. With the barricading being done, it feels as though this has become an international border," he told ANI.
"Notices are being pasted on the homes of several farmer leaders in Haryana. We will not give the Central government a chance to claim that farmers are arrogant or unwilling to engage in dialogue. Whenever we receive an invitation for talks, we will consider it," Pandher added.
Meanwhile, amidst the ongoing farmer protests, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar on Tuesday urged the government to initiate discussions with the distressed and aggrieved farmers.
The Vice President made these remarks at the Centenary Foundation Day of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research - Central Institute for Research on Cotton Technology (ICAR-CIRCOT) in Mumbai.
Addressing Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Dhankhar questioned whether any promises had been made to farmers in the past and emphasised the urgency of talks. "Honourable Agriculture Minister, did previous Agriculture Ministers make any written commitments? If so, what became of them?" the Vice President asked.
Highlighting the plight of farmers, Dhankhar said, "India has never had such a strong standing in the world. Our global reputation has never been higher. Yet, amidst this progress, why are our farmers in distress? Why are they suffering? Why are they stressed? This is a grave issue, and dismissing it lightly shows a lack of practicality and ineffective policymaking. No force in the country can suppress the voice of the farmer. The nation will face serious consequences if it tests the patience of its farmers."
Following Dhankhar's statement, Congress General Secretary (Communications) Jairam Ramesh welcomed the Vice President's questioning of Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan regarding the ongoing farmer protests.
Speaking to ANI on Wednesday, Ramesh reiterated Congress' stance, stating that the party has consistently called for similar action. (ANI)