Women protesters dance to tunes of folk numbers

Strap: Sing ‘ragnis’ as tribute to Chottu Ram | Passengers served ‘samosas’ & ‘ladoos’

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Ravinder Saini

Tribune News Service

Jhajjar, February 18

A festive mood prevailed on the Rohtak-Delhi track, where scores of protesting farmers, including women, gathered on Thursday as part of “rail roko”.

Farmers sang ‘ragnis’ dedicated to peasant leader Sir Chhotu Ram while women danced to the tunes of folk numbers. Youngsters were seen waving the Tricolour at various dharna points on the track.

The protesters served tea, ‘samosas’, bread ‘pakoras’ and ‘ladoos’ to rail passengers to mobilise their support. ‘Jalebis’ were also distributed among the protesters.

Bijender, who participated in the protest at the Aasodha railway station, said today’s ‘rail roko’ aimed at mounting pressure on the Central Government to repeal the three agricultural laws.

“We ensured that the protest remains peaceful. Arrangements had been made to serve snacks to rail passengers if any train was halted midway,” he added.

“We served tea and snacks to the driver of a goods train and others on board when it was stopped at the Aasodha railway station this noon. We requested them to extend support to the agitation,” said Krishan, another protester.

Inderjit Singh, vice-president of the Akhil Bharatiya Kisan Sabha, said a great enthusiasm also witnessed among youngsters, who created a patriotic atmosphere by waving the Tricolour during the protest.

“Women in large numbers participated in the protest across the state. Men looked after passengers and distributed refreshment among them when a train was stopped at the Sampla railway station,” he added.

While farmers from Punjab remained at the Tikri border, local farmers reached the dharna points in the district. They were seen playing cards and smoking hookah.

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Caption: Women protesters dance at the Ismaila railway station in Rohtak. Tribune Photo