New Delhi: Thousands of farmers on Monday (March 20, 2023) gathered at the Ramlila Maidan in the national capital for the 'Kisan Mahapanchayat' to press for a legal guarantee on the minimum support price (MSP). Over 2,000 security personnel were deployed at Ramlila Maidan to ensure that the event goes smoothly. The Samyukt Kisan Morcha, which is an umbrella body of farmers' unions, said the farmers want the Narendra Modi-led government to fulfil the assurances it gave to them in writing on December 9, 2021.


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They also want the Centre to take effective steps to mitigate the "ever-increasing crisis" faced by farmers.




The Morcha has also urged the Modi government to dissolve the committee on MSP, alleging that it is "contrary to their demands".


The farmers' unions' demands also include pension, debt waiver, compensation for those who died during the farmers' stir and withdrawal of the Electricity Bill.


"The Electricity Amendment Bill, 2022, referred to the JPC (Joint Parliamentary Committee) should be withdrawn. The Centre had given a written assurance that the bill will be introduced in Parliament only after discussion with the SKM but despite this, it introduced the Bill," the Morcha had said in its statement last week.


It also reiterated the demand for free power for agricultural purposes and 300 units for rural households.


It is notable that the Morcha spearheaded an over a year-long agitation against the Centre's now-repealed farm laws.


They suspended the movement in December 2021 following a government assurance to consider the farmers' pending demands, including the withdrawal of cases lodged against farmers during the agitation and a legal guarantee for MSP.


Kisan Mahapanchayat: Delhi Police issues traffic advisory


Meanwhile, Delhi Police put elaborate security arrangements in place to ensure that the event goes smoothly.


"We have made elaborate security arrangements for the Kisan Mahapanchayat. We will ensure the safety and security of people... We have deployed more than 2,000 security personnel to ensure that the event goes peacefully and law and order is maintained," a senior police official had said on Sunday.


Police personnel will be deployed for crowd management and to ensure that no unauthorised person gains entry and disrupts law and order, he had said.


According to an advisory by the Delhi Traffic Police, around 15,000-20,000 people were likely to participate in the Mahapanchayat. 



The public and motorists have been advised to avoid roads around the Ramlila Maidan, especially JLN Marg from Delhi Gate to Ajmeri Gate Chowk, a traffic police official said.