SKM calls for Republic Day ‘People’s March’, says democracy and federalism must be defended
The Sanyukt Kisan Morcha has urged farmers to mark Republic Day with a ‘People’s March’, including tractor parades and rallies that avoid disrupting official celebrations. The group says the mobilisation is meant to defend constitutional values such as democracy, secularism and federalism.
The Sanyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) has called on farmers to observe January 26, 2026—India’s 77th Republic Day—with a ‘People’s March’, urging mass participation through tractor parades, vehicle and motorcycle rallies, and public demonstrations. The group said these programmes should be organised without interfering with official Republic Day celebrations.
As per the report, the SKM framed the mobilisation as an effort to defend constitutional principles, including democracy, secularism and federalism. It argued that such values require continuous public vigilance and said the Republic Day context should be used to reaffirm the idea of the Constitution as a people-led project rather than a symbol limited to ceremonial events.
The organisation linked its appeal to concerns about policy changes and legislation. It claimed that multiple recent laws and proposals, cited in its statement, could weaken federal structures and limit space for dissent. The SKM also stressed the importance of protecting freedom of expression and the right to protest.
The report noted that the call followed deliberations at an SKM national council meeting held earlier in January. The group has been one of the most visible farmer coalitions of the past few years and has continued to position itself as a watchdog on farm-related policy as well as broader governance issues.
By urging rallies that avoid disrupting formal events, the SKM appears to be attempting a dual objective: broad participation and public visibility, alongside an effort to prevent confrontation around official ceremonies. Organisers often see such a posture as a way to widen support while reducing the risk of enforcement action.
The Republic Day pitch also gives the campaign a wider frame than agriculture alone. SKM’s messaging, as described, tries to connect rural and farmer concerns to a broader narrative about rights, state–centre relations and constitutional safeguards—topics that resonate beyond any single sector.