Chandigarh: A group of 51 farmers associated with the Sanyukt Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) will stage a bare-chested protest at the barricades erected by the Haryana government on August 19, alleging that authorities are blocking their march towards Delhi.

The farmers are walking from the martyrdom site of Shaheed Shubhkaran Singh at the Khanauri border towards Jantar Mantar in Delhi to raise their demands.

Farmers Protest Haryana Barricades

The farmers’ organisation alleged that the BJP-led governments at the Centre and in Haryana were violating the constitutional right of farmers, workers and common people to peacefully protest.

It said the 51-member pedestrian march was being undertaken over farmers’ demands that the organisation claimed had previously been accepted by the Central government.

The group is also opposing the proposed India-US Free Trade Agreement and demanding that the agriculture sector be kept outside the agreement.

Farmers Oppose India-US Trade Agreement

The Sanyukt Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) accused the Centre of pursuing “pro-corporate” policies and alleged that the proposed trade agreement could adversely affect the country’s farmers.

The organisation claimed that the agreement could threaten the livelihood of farmers and described it as a “death warrant” for the farming community.

It alleged that Haryana authorities had erected barricades and walls on the highway to prevent the 51-member group from proceeding towards Delhi.

Bare-Chested Protest on August 19

According to the organisation, the 51 farmers will reach the barricades on August 19 and stage a bare-chested protest against the restrictions on their march and the proposed India-US trade agreement.

The group alleged that the government was using excessive measures to stop farmers from reaching Delhi and demanded that they be allowed to peacefully demonstrate at Jantar Mantar.

Effigy-Burning Protests on August 20

The organisation has also announced that effigies of the government will be burnt at various locations across the country on August 20.

The protests are part of the farmers’ wider campaign over their pending demands, the proposed India-US trade agreement and what the organisation described as restrictions on their right to protest.