Bharatiya Kisan Union (Ekta Ugrahan), one of the largest farmers’ organizations in Punjab, on Friday announced that it will join the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP)-led student protest at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar and begin its march to the national capital on July 27.
“The decision was taken in a meeting held late on Friday. We believe in what the children are fighting for. Their cause is just, and to show our solidarity, we have decided to march to the national capital. Right now, as per our estimates, around 500 to 1,000 farmers will join the march,” Punjab farmer leader Ramandeep Singh Mann told HT.
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Man on X said the union members will remain in Delhi until the students’ demands are accepted.
The farmers’ body is also planning to send volunteers and basic supplies, including dry rations, to help sustain the sit-in, which has continued despite police action earlier this week and directives issued by universities asking students to stay away from the protest site.
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The student protests, which began over alleged examination irregularities, have since expanded into demands for reforms in the education system and have emerged as one of the largest youth mobilizations in recent years.
The demonstrators are demanding the resignation of Federal Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and stronger guarantees against leaking of question papers and other examination-related violations.
Support for agitation has steadily expanded beyond student groups. Civil society organizations, teachers, political leaders and citizens joined demonstrations in several cities over the past week.
The Punjab-based BKU leads a massive grassroots network and played a prominent role in the 2020-2021 farmers’ protest against the now-repealed farm laws.
