Week 3 into the ongoing Farmers’ protests, farmers at Singhu border have now made necessary arrangements to make their tractor-trolleys habitable during the harsh winter. Complete with food, water, beds, blankets and even electrical switchboards to charge phones; these tractors are now the mini homes for these farmers.
Raspinder Singh (31), a farmer from Patiala, and 10 of his friends sleep inside a trolley every day. While the platform of the vehicle is covered with mattresses and parali (crop stubble) to keep the space warm, the top is covered with a long yellow tarpaulin. Singh has also arranged for an electrical switchboard to charge phones and to plug in lightbulbs.
While volunteers of Khalsa Aid and many others have donated extra blankets, most of the arrangements were seen to by the farmers themselves. The farmers are prepared to protest for as long as it takes to see that the purpose of this protest is seen through.
Singh and his friends are the only men at the border from their respective families protesting while the others are back in Patiala taking care of the farms. To protect themselves from mosquitoes and other insects, these men have also arranged for mosquito repellent as well as plastic sheets for when the evening approaches.
Another group of elderly farmers approximately a kilometre away from Singh and his friends have spread parali on the ground as Rajinder(65), a farmer from Fatehgarh Sahib makes tea for everyone in a small kettle. His truck functions as a living room and kitchen for about 8 men.
“We know this is going to be a long stay. I wake up every morning around 6 and make tea for my friends. We take bath at the nearby factory and then change clothes inside the truck. I also put a mirror so everyone can comb their beard and see how they look,” said Rajinder. Rajinder’s truck is well equipped with light bulbs, medicines, cosmetics and even a mirror.
Amarjeet (65), a farmer from Patiala, sleeps in a trolley with five other women. She walks 4 km every day to use a clean washroom and take a bath but has planned to stay and support other farmers. While most other female farmers are unable to stay on site of the protest due to the lack of hygienic and safe toilets, this particular group of farmers have been sleeping in their trolleys for the past 2 weeks. They also cook meals for more than 100 people every day — roti, tea, sabzi and pinni — and have brought 4-5 LPG kitchen cylinders with them for the purpose.
Although Amarjeet complains of aching knees, she makes it very clear that she will not leave. She has everything she needs and her son even brings vegetables from time to time.
This small part of a large scale ongoing protest sees 2000 tractors and trolleys present on-site at the Singha border. Farmers use their tractors to make announcements, as well as play music and, shall continue doing so till they see fit.
