New Delhi: Thousands of farmers have gathered at three interstate border points in Delhi, continuing their protest against the three agricultural laws. The farmers have refused to accept the proposal of the central government of going to Nirankari Maidan in Burari in north-west Delhi.
The farmers are adamant on holding a rally at Ramlila Maidan or Jantar Mantar in central Delhi. But why are the farmers reluctant to go to Nirankari Maidan in Burari to protest?
Situated in the outskirts, Nirankari Maidan in Burari is considered far away from central Delhi. This is the reason why no organization wants to protest in Burari Maidan. The organizations feel that if they want to extend their voice to influential people of power, then Jantar Mantar or Ramlila Maidan is a better option.
Jantar Mantar is located in the heart of the city and is only 2 km away from the Parliament and is sure to attract everyone's attention. However, there is not enough space here to handle the huge crowd. On the other hand, the Ramlila Ground in central Delhi can handle a large crowd. Compared to both, Burari Maidan is located on the outermost edge of Delhi, and thus isn't among the favourite places of protesters.
In 2011, Delhi Police offered Burari Maidan, located on the outskirts of Delhi, for the proposed fast of social activist Anna Hazare, which was not accepted. Anna was finally allowed to organize a movement at the Ramlila Maidan, where he fasted for the Jan Lokpal bill for 13 days and thousands of his supporters staged a sit-in.
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Ramlila Maidan also served as the site of the indefinite hunger strike of Yog guru Swami Ramdev in June 2011, which he did to demand the return of black money from abroad.
Many major political rallies and oath-taking ceremonies have also been organized at Ramlila Maidan. It remains a favourite place for those who want to gather large crowds.
On the other hand, Jantar-Mantar has been favoured by those who demanded justice for Nirbhaya, the One Rank One Pension Scheme for ex-servicemen and the recent battle of justice for the victims of the Hathras case. The protesting farmers are reluctant to go to Burari Maidan because they are afraid that they will not be heard otherwise. Many people think that if they go to Jantar-Mantar or Ramlila Maidan, then their demands will be heard better.
This is the reason that only a few hundred farmers went to Burari Maidan on Saturday, while thousands of others decided to stay on the Delhi-Haryana and Delhi-UP borders.
