Chennai, March 11 (NationPress) The Tamil Nadu state branch of the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) has declared a large-scale protest in Tenkasi on March 19 to stand in solidarity with the third round of negotiations between SKM and the Union government in Chandigarh regarding the legalization of the Minimum Support Price (MSP).

According to SKM leader P.R. Pandian, the protest is expected to draw a substantial crowd of farmers from all over Tamil Nadu.

This demonstration is part of a wider campaign advocating for the formal implementation of MSP, a demand that has persisted among farmers across the nation.

The Union government has already conducted two rounds of talks with SKM representatives in Delhi concerning MSP legalization.

However, these discussions yielded no definitive commitments, and the government has yet to act on the Supreme Court’s orders regarding this matter.

The upcoming round of discussions is set for March 19 in Chandigarh, where SKM members will again assert their requirements.

On March 5, the Tamil Nadu unit of SKM organized a hunger strike in Thanjavur, known as the ‘Rice Bowl of Tamil Nadu,’ to support the ongoing farmers’ protests in Delhi.

The Delhi protest, which commenced on November 26, 2024, has been advocating for various demands, including MSP legalization.

Despite numerous protests, the Union government has remained unusually quiet on this subject.

Union ministers engaged with protesting farmers on February 19 and 22, yet no assurances were made regarding MSP, resulting in escalated protests and a nationwide appeal for farmer solidarity.

Pandian expressed significant concern over the ongoing hunger strike of SKM leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal, which has exceeded 100 days.

He cautioned that if any harm were to come to Dallewal due to government inaction, it could spark unprecedented riots throughout the nation.

Pandian also urged Chief Minister M.K. Stalin to compel the Union government to legalize MSP, which he asserted would be beneficial to millions of farmers across India.

However, Pandian criticized Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin for his silence regarding Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s comments on the proposed Mekedatu dam on the Cauvery River.

He urged Stalin to take a definitive stance against the project, which has caused ongoing disputes between the two states.