BKU trains women, will lead tractor parade

Deepender Deswal
Tribune News Service
Hisar, January 4

The Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) has been training women hailing from villages in driving so that they can lead the procession of tractor-trolleys carrying farmers to participate in the tractor parade in Delhi on Republic Day.

The BKU's local unit has roped in tractor drivers to train women in driving so that they can drive on highways to reach Delhi on January 26. The BKU has planned to train 500 women as tractor drivers.

While many of these women have already tried their hand at the wheel, they need to sharpen their skills to drive tractors on the highways and roads in Delhi during the procession, according to one trainer.

The Sankyukta Kisan Morcha, an umbrella body of around 40 protesting unions, had on Sunday announced the decision to march into Delhi with a tractor parade on Republic Day if the Centre failed to accept their demands.

Ramraji Dhull, a BKU leader from Jind, said they had planned to take around 20,000 people from the district to Delhi to participate in the procession. He said women-driven tractors carrying women activists would be in the front.

"Some women can drive tractors in the fields for farming activities like ploughing, but have not driven on roads. We have roped in drivers to impart training to these women so that they can drive to Delhi. They are doing a good job and are quick learners," he stated.

Balkar Singh, sarpanch of Khatkar village, said people in the rural belt enjoyed bonding, cutting across caste and political affiliations.

"Since around 95 per cent of the people are farmers or engaged in farming activities, the BKU has a considerable influence in the area. Women are equal participants in activities, be it elections or any public event. Many women are capable of driving tractors as they work on tractors in the fields," he said.

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