After months of protests at the borders of Delhi, farmers were finally allowed to enter the national capital. With the monsoon session of parliament underway, a Kisaan Sansad (farmers’ parliament) of 200 people is also being held parallelly at Jantar Mantar. Though it is located only 1.6 km away from the Parliament House, none of the 788 members of the lower and upper houses are interested in visiting the Kisan Sansad.Hundreds of police officers, armed with lathis, have been deployed at the site.Heavily police deployment at the Kisan Sansad. Photo: Yaqut AliOn July 26, women farmers took centre stage. It was the day of the ‘Mahila Kisan Sansad’. I saw 200 female voices speaking with courage in front of hundreds of media persons and police officers.Also Read: ‘If Food Isn’t Essential, What Is?’: Women Farmers Have Questions – and Answers – for Modi GovtFor the past eight months, many of the farmers have been camped on roads. For the past ten-odd days, they arrive at Jantar Mantar at 11 am to conduct their Sansad. Before leaving the Singhu border, every farmer has to show their ID cards given by union leaders. The farmers do not want a repeat of the violence that was witnessed on Republic Day, which they blame on ‘anti-social’ elements. The violence almost derailed the movement, but it has nevertheless persisted.Once they arrive for the Sansad, the farmers discuss the pros and cons of the new farm laws. They hope that their voices will be heard in the ‘real parliament’.Media persons at the Mahila Kisan Sansad. Photo: Yaqut AliAs the clock strikes two, lunch arrives from the Bangla Sahib Gurudwara. I walk around to speak to activists. Some of them are senior citizens and their conviction to the cause of farmers and democracy is inspiring.Activist Megha Patkar speaking to The Wire, said, “This Sansad is a challenge to the government. The Narendra Modi government’s plans to allow contract farming will harm the farmers and be profitable for businessmen. The protest has been ongoing for eight months. If necessary, like the Narmada Andolan which lasted 36 years, it can go on for many years.”Medha Patkar at the Mahila Kisan Sansad. Photo: Yaqut AliGul Panag, an actress and the daughter of an Army officer, told The Wire, “I’m from an Army family, which is very common in UP and Punjab. But this cruel government keeps calling us anti-national, terrorists. How can they call the annadata these words?”Gul Panag at the Mahila Kisan Sansad. Photo: Yaqut AliDarshan Pal, who participated in 11 rounds of talks with the government, told The Wire, “When we first came to the border, we did not think the government would ignore us like this. This is heartbreaking, not only for me but for the entire nation. Many farmers have died, we’re having farming losses. They must listen to us.”Farmer leader Darshan Pal. Photo: Yaqut AliA woman who is ill gets treated at the Kisan Sansad. Photo: Yaqut AliThe day’s Sansad ended with the National Anthem, as it does every day. The women who participated in the Sansad left in the buses, followed by the police, with the hope that their message will be heard.Women who participated in the Mahila Sansad on their way back to the Singhu border. Photo: Yaqut Ali
