Farmers’ Protest: 15 farmers lost their life since November 26

Even as the farmers’ agitation against the three contentious farm laws gained momentum and entered day 17, it has come to the fore that at least 15 farmers have died since November 26 due to various reasons while protesting against the laws.

According to the media reports, in the past two weeks, on average, one dead body is coming back every day to Punjab from the Singhu and Tikri borders of Delhi, but the government is not taking this issue seriously.

Four of these farmers have died due to accidents, 10 due to heart attack, and one due to cold. The casualties started with the onset of the preparation for the Delhi march of November 26 and 27. The first such casualty took place on November 24 when a large group of farmers was covering tractor-trailers with waterproof sheets in Mehalkalan town of Barnala district.

Kahan Singh, a BKU (Dakaunda) activist from Dhaner village was hit by a car and he died on the spot. Later, BKU declared him “the first martyr of the Delhi morcha”.

Since then, on average, one name is being added to the list every day, which is getting longer by the day. As per the list compiled report from various media reports, at least 15 farmers have lost their lives ever since the farmers’ Delhi Chalo march began. Besides, a large number of protesters have suffered serious injuries while marching to Delhi.

Not just men, even women have lost their lives during the ongoing stir. Farmers’ organizations have claimed that so far, two women protesters have also died due to cardiac arrest. Despite the untimely deaths and casualties, the Modi government has not shown any concern. Senior Congress leader Randeep Surjelwala attacked PM Modi, asking, “Does it not stir PM Modi’s heart?”

15 farmers who died during the agitation are:

November 24: Kahan Singh (Dhaner, Barnala)

November 27: Dhanna Singh (Chehlanwali)

November 28: Gajjan Singh (Bhangu Khatra)

November 29: Janak Raj (Dhanaula, Barnala)

November 30: Gurdev Singh (Attar Singhwala)

December 2: Gurjant Singh (Bachhoana, Mansa)

December 3: Gurbachan Singh Sibia (Bhinderkhurd, Moga), Baljinder Singh (Jhamat, Ludhiana)

December 4: Lakhvir Singh (Laleana, Bathinda)

December 7: Karnail Singh (Sherpur, Sangrur), Rajinder Kaur (Gangohar, Barnala)

December 8: Gurmail Kaur (Gharachon, Bathinda), Mewa Singh (Khote, Faridkot), Ajay Kumar (Sonepat), and Lakhvir Singh (Jharon, Sangrur)

Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Kisan Union has moved Supreme Court challenging the three farm reform laws passed by the Parliament. The farmers have also planned to intensify the agitation over the next few days in which they have planned to block highways leading to Delhi, gherao BJP leaders and offices and bring out another ‘Delhi Chalo’ march on December 14.