Since the last forty-eight hours, the rain gods are crying seeing the plight of the suffering farmers at the threshold of Delhi. Incessant rain and the temperature plummeting to near zero degrees has disturbed the protesting farmers at the Singh, Tikri, Gazipur and other borders encircling Delhi. Gurmeet Singh of the WSN Delhi Desk reports.

THE TEMPORARY TENTS HAVE LEAKED, WATER HAS SEEPED IN THEM, beddings are wet, protestors are standing, unable to sit and sleep. 

Farmers and Sikhs are used to extreme heat, severe cold and heavy rains. The current rains may have a temporary effect on their tents, trollies, food, ration, clothes, beddings, etc however it will add a medallion to their kitty of surviving hardships and moving a step further towards the demolishing the egoistic governments which are hell bound to kill farmers and protect crony capitalism. 

The death of 45 farmers in so many days has added more determination and resolve to the 32 Bharatiya Kisan Union bodies from Punjab and around 10-12 from neighbouring states to continue the agitation for farmers rights. Yesterday a farmer committed suicide at the Gazipur border and left a note that his cremation is held at the temporary 7.5-kilometre city of the farmers. 

Even on humanitarian grounds, neither the government of Haryana or Delhi has offered or made any assistance to the farmers struggling to beat the weather. 

Significantly, in the never-say-die spirit, the Langars continue and the Langar volunteers -the ubiquitous Sewadars continue their Sewa in the open with make-shift raincoats. 

Speaking to activists serving at Tikri, WSN learnt that the Delhi Police has dug up roads, water supply from Delhi Jal Board is cut off, they have to cover long distance and counter jam for an hour to reach the Morcha at Tikri. WSN has also learnt that those who are not protestors are not allowed to cross over the barricades at Tikri border as it is completely sealed. 

Morchas are part of Sikh history and legend. A morcha is a demonstration of the spirit of cooperation and coordination of the farmers. The Guru’s spirit of “Dukh vich Sukh manai” is visible. 

Those in the BJP calling the protest a picnic must be ashamed today. However, the powers that be are unshaken and unfazed.  

“For the last six weeks, we have withstood the biting cold winter, a few droplets of water will not stop us from continuing our struggle.”

Farmers all across the five borders virtually cutting off Delhi from the rest of the country are determined to continue their fight.  Rain or shine, heat or cold or very cold can only test the patience of farmers, but not deter them from continuing their historic struggle for farm rights beginning with the annulment of the repeal of the three anti-farmer, anti-people farm laws. 

With the backing of historical folklore when their forefathers bore worse hardships than inclement weather, the farmers from Punjab are speaking to any section of the independent media that has managed to reach there that “we have seen worse brutalities and torture. These rains are a message that even God is hurt by the stubbornness of the Narendra Modi government.”

Across Punjab and Haryana, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and their various alliances are at the receiving end of peoples’ ire. The political boycott is even leading to professional and social boycott. 

“For the last six weeks, we have withstood the biting cold winter, a few droplets of water will not stop us from continuing our struggle.”

Across Punjab and Haryana, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and their various alliances are at the receiving end of peoples’ ire. The political boycott is even leading to professional and social boycott. 

Speaking to farmers at the three gateways of Singh Garh, WSN learns that one of the major hindrances is the slope of the roads whereby water seeps into the tents making habitation difficult in the makeshift tents. 

The above situation also shows the inadequacy and failure of our governments and NHAI to have a proper drainage system to cater to the need of rain waters. Failure, disaster, non-performance and mismanagement are hallmarks of the present BJP government in Haryana and the Indian Union. 

While more aid, especially waterproof tarpaulins have started to pour in from Punjab and Haryana, the Sikh community in Delhi should put together more immediate emergency aid.

It is comforting to note that the Hemkunt Foundation has rushed hundreds of waterproof tents for the farmers.

It is comforting to note that the Hemkunt Foundation has rushed hundreds of waterproof tents for the farmers. All activists may coordinate and collaborate to avoid duplication and smoothen the aid distribution process to help the participants at the protest roads. 

“The water of the gods will lead to the Waterloo of the Modi-Shah fascist regime”, said an English speaking activist farmer at the Singhu border. 

Photos Courtesy: Freelance Video Journalist Ajit Anjum, who is doing exemplary coverage since the start of the Farmers Morcha and who was one of the first videographers to reach the Delhi border early today morning.