Chhavi Bhatia

Muzaffarnagar: The city is teeming with activity like never seen before. It’s been 24 hours and a constant stream of buses, tractors, trucks and cars bearing number plates of Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan continue to enter the sugar bowl of India with hundreds of thousands of farmers who are arriving to participate in massive mahapanchayat announced by the Samyukta Kisan Morcha. Elsewhere, tents of all sizes have come up almost overnight to house the visiting farmers, a lot of them are travelling from as far as down south. Each one who is reaching Muzaffarnagar today is focused on the reason, “We are here for the Kisan Mahasabha.”

Organised by the Samayukta Kisan Morcha(SKM), the event, according to the farmers’ body is a precursor to its plans to dent the victory prospects of ruling BJP in the upcoming state assembly elections.

Stating that this western Uttar Pradesh district with farmers constituting majority of its population, is ready to welcome its counterparts from other states would be an understatement. From food to medical facilities to sleeping arrangements, the mahasabha has put every facility in place. Preparing have been ongoing on warfooting for the past few days, main being langars and a huge shamiana and a large podium for visiting farmer leaders and kisans. The frenzy of activity is no less than a political rally, replete with volunteers, doctors, security guards in attendance. Given the sheer magnitude of the mahasabha, which a lot of people are pegging as the “biggest rally ever held”, the SKM also underlines the importance of discipline for a smooth functioning. Not only have participating unions and individuals been issued ID cards, the SKM has also drawn out a map of the venue where the event is being held. The map points out the parking areas and the route that is to be taken to reach the main compound as well as marks the spots where langars are set up.

Sources claim that close to 2-3 lakh farmers will attend the mahapanchayat for which 5000 volunteers including doctors and nurses have been pressed into service. 100 medical camps and 500 langars are running at the scene. Local villagers also pitched in to provide food to farmers, turning their homes into community kitchens. “The langars are operating 24×7 as people are trickling in through day and night. People are also bringing food from their homes in whatever capacity they can. Copious amounts of tea and water is being served constantly,” said Raghavendra Singh, a local peasant.