Several rural women in Haryana’s Jind district are receiving training to drive tractors for taking part in the “tractor parade” protesting farmers have planned in New Delhi on January 26 against the three new farm laws.
The farmers protesting against the legislation had announced on January 2 that if their demands remained unmet, they would take out a “tractor parade” towards Delhi on January 26, when the country would be celebrating Republic Day.
Women hailing from three villages — Safa Kheri, Khatkar and Pallwan — in Jind are learning to steer the tractor wheel.
“Around 200 women are being imparted training to drive tractors,” Sikim Nain Sheokant, the president of the Jind-based Kisan Ekta Mahila Manch, said over the phone.
She said that though some of the women can drive tractors in the fields for farm operations, they do not have experience of driving on the road.
“We want women to drive tractors on the highway on January 26 without any help,” Sheokant said.
She said several villagers were also helping them out by offering their tractors and providing the women training.
Women are undergoing training at a toll plaza on the Jind-Patiala National Highway for handling tractor-trolleys on road.
The protesting farmers are not allowing toll to be collected at the plazas in protest against the farm laws.
“We are receiving training to drive a tractor for participating in the parade,” said a woman.
Sheokant said the new farm laws were not in the interest of the farming community.