#FarmersProtest

A day before the Republic Day Tractor March, at boiling point, water in the pan will bubble a lot – hopefully not spill.

Remember, had the government repealed the Farm Laws, all this would not have been necessary. The government is testing the people, they will respond.

A big question is on trollies not being allowed. Personally, I am unable to see a tractor as a solo vehicle. Not that it is not, but what is a tractor, out of the farm, without its trolley?

Yet, imagine the logistics.

More than 1 lakh tractors on the roads for 24-36 hours or more. Each route is 70 to 80 kms. It is cold, it will be windy, the route is unfamiliar, has bends, the drivers will need breaks. Then, unlike Rajpath cleared of regular traffic, on these roads on the outskirts of Delhi there will be some traffic. These roads are also narrower than Outer Ring Road, as asked by Unions earlier.

With trollies we will slow them down even further – 48-72 hours! Even without trollies, tractors will need to rotate drivers in say 4-6-8 hours shifts. In any case there will be tableaux depicting the farmer’s stories, historical scenes on trollies. It is Baba Deep Singh’s birth anniversary tomorrow. There would be aid and relief material on trollies.
The farmers on the Tractor March would need food – are being asked to carry pinnis and dry fruits – they will need loo breaks, some langars will be arranged, some machinery could breakdown, hopefully not, but some possible health issues – ambulances are being arranged. These are huge logistical challenges.

The farmers will certainly rise, but before we critique just project the ground reality of the Tractor March in your minds.

Chardi Kala!

From discussion with Sukhjit Singh.