Battling lathis, tear gas shells and water cannons in chilly December, farmers from Punjab reached Delhi-Haryana border on November 27 to protest against new farm laws. Fourteen days on, the protests continue as several rounds of talks have failed. In the last few days, the protest sites have witnessed one of the most beautiful manifestations of humanity in the form of aide extended by various groups and individuals.
Here
is an account of how India stood behind its provider without marching
on the streets and holding placards.
Khalsa
Aid Group
Khalsa Aid is an
international NGO that provides humanitarian aid in disaster and conflict-torn
places and ever since the onset of the protest have been delivering help to
farmers at the protest site.
The group has distributed necessity
items like soaps and toothpaste, food, foot wears and first aid kits among the
protestors. Apart from this, the NGO has been organising ‘langars’ everyday to feed the demonstrators.
United
Against Hate (UAH)
A citizens’ initiative
against rising hate crimes and communal violence have been sending food
packets to the protesting site.
Muslim
Federation of Punjab
The
Muslim Federation of Punjab led by Faaroqi Mubeen is responsible for organising 24X7 ‘langars ‘ for the farmers as well all those who
show up to support.
“It is our responsibility to take care of
the farmers. We are a team of 25 volunteers who are working non-stop to keep
the ‘langar’ going,” Mubeen told PTI.
Shiromani
Akali Dal
According
to ANI, workers of Shiromani Akali Dal are providing free diesel at a petrol
pump on the Delhi-Amritsar national highway to farmers and supporters
heading towards Delhi to join the agitation against Central Government’s new
farm laws.
Gurdarshan Singh Nabha Foundation
Volunteers of the Gurdarshan Singh Nabha Foundation provided farmers
protesting at the Delhi border with 3,000 blankets, drinking
water and a huge quantity of medicines to facilitate their demonstration.
Diljit Dosanjh
When celebrities say or
does something, it makes a statement. Well aware of the fact actor-singer
Diljit Dosanjh not only stood with the farmers in solidarity by reaching Singhu
border but also donated Rs 1 crore to uplift farmers’ protest and help them buy winter wears.
Donation box at a wedding in Punjab
According to media reports, a Punjab family changed the long going tradition of ‘Shagun’ and asked their relatives and friends to donate money for the farmers instead of gifts and cash.
