After more than a year of protesting at Delhi’s borders, the farmers called off their agitation on Thursday. They will now begin heading back home.

Farmer leader Gurnam Singh Chadhuni said, “The Samyukta Kisan Morcha-led farmers’ agitation is being suspended because the Centre has agreed to our demands.”

He added that the agitation could be resumed if the Centre “backtracks from its promises”. “SKM will hold monthly review meetings and act accordingly,” he said.

“Over 500 organisations fought this sustained agitation. We faced the government’s might, misinformation campaign, Covid, change of weather – winters and summers. And yet we won the battle,” said President of the All India Kisan Sabha Ashok Dhawale.

WHAT NOW?

“December 10 will be marked as a day of mourning,” said farmer leader Darshan Pal.

On December 11, the farmers will begin to leave Singhu border and go back home. Two days later, they will go to the Golden Temple in Punjab’s Amritsar.

By December 15, all farmers’ protests in Punjab will conclude.

On January 15, the SKM, the umbrella body of farmers’ unions that led the protest, will meet again in Delhi. During this meeting, the farmers will review whether the Centre has acted on its promises or not, said a farmer leader. “The Centre’s letter mentions all the clauses agreed upon by the Centre and SKM,” he added.