It's happening again. But this time, they're not alone.

Thousands of farmers from across North India have begun their march toward Delhi, responding to Rakesh Tikait's call to join the Cockroach Janta Party's July 20 Parliament protest. The mobilisation — which began in the early hours of July 18 — is already causing disruptions across multiple states.

The March Begins

Punjab: Convoys of tractors and trolleys have departed from Bhatinda, Ludhiana, Patiala, and Amritsar. BKU leaders estimate 15,000-20,000 farmers from Punjab alone are on the move. The convoys are carrying food, water, and supplies for an extended stay.

Haryana: Farmers from Hisar, Sirsa, Karnal, and Kurukshetra are moving toward the Delhi border. The Haryana government has ordered the sealing of all border points with Delhi. Section 144 has been imposed in border districts.

Uttar Pradesh: BKU's western UP units have mobilised farmers from Muzaffarnagar, Shamli, Baghpat, and Meerut. Rakesh Tikait's home district of Muzaffarnagar has seen the largest mobilisation — over 5,000 farmers departed in a single convoy early this morning.

Rajasthan: Farmers from Bharatpur, Alwar, and Dholpur are moving toward Delhi. Smaller contingents from other districts are joining en route.

The Haryana Border Blockade

The Haryana government, led by BJP's Nayab Singh Saini, has taken the most aggressive measures:

• All 12 border points with Delhi sealed with concrete barriers and police deployment
• Section 144 imposed in all border districts
• Internet services suspended in Sonipat, Jhajjar, and Faridabad districts
• Additional paramilitary forces requisitioned from Centre

The Haryana Police issued a statement: "In view of the planned unlawful assembly and march, restrictions have been placed to maintain law and order. Citizens are advised to avoid the Delhi-Haryana border areas."

Farmers at the sealed borders have begun sit-in protests. Images of police barricades facing tractor convoys are emerging on social media — eerie echoes of 2021.

Highway Traffic Disrupted

The farmer mobilisation has affected major highways:

• NH-44 (Delhi-Amritsar): Heavy congestion near Ambala and Karnal
• NH-48 (Delhi-Jaipur): Traffic slowed near Manesar
• NH-9 (Delhi-Haridwar): Disrupted near Ghaziabad
• Eastern Peripheral Expressway: Partially closed for civilian traffic

Delhi Traffic Police has issued an advisory asking commuters to avoid all border areas on July 18-20. "Expect severe congestion. Use metro where possible. Plan travel accordingly."

Tikait's Warning

Rakesh Tikait, addressing farmers at the Ghazipur border before moving to Jantar Mantar, issued his strongest warning yet:

"In 2021, we were alone. The government called us Khalistani, and we fought alone. Today, we are not alone. The students are with us. The opposition is with us. The world is watching. What you saw in 2021 — the year-long protest, the Republic Day tractor rally — that was the trailer. July 20 is the full film. And the ending will be different."

Tikait confirmed that farmer contingents will not attempt to force entry into Delhi before July 20. "We will gather at the borders. On July 20, we will enter peacefully. If they stop us, we will sit. If they beat us, we will take it. If they arrest us, more will come. The cockroach and the farmer — we have the same philosophy now. We survive everything."

Delhi Police on High Alert

Delhi Police Commissioner has cancelled all leaves. Additional companies of CRPF and RAF have been deployed. Drones and CCTV cameras are monitoring border areas.

A senior Delhi Police officer, speaking anonymously, admitted: "We are preparing for the worst. The combination of farmers and students — we have never faced this before. The 2021 farmers' protest was contained at the borders for months. But if students from inside Delhi and farmers from outside converge on Parliament on the same day... frankly, we don't have enough personnel."

Political Reactions

BJP's Haryana Government: "We respect the right to protest but will not allow disruption of public order. The border sealing is a precautionary measure."

Congress's Bhupinder Hooda: "The Haryana government is repeating 2021 mistakes. Sealing borders will not stop farmers. It will only create more confrontation."

AAP's Bhagwant Mann (Punjab CM): "I appeal to the farmers — your cause is just. But please protest peacefully. Do not give the government an excuse for violence."

CJP's Saurav Das: "The farmers are coming. The students are waiting. The cockroaches are multiplying. July 20 will be a day this government never forgets."

What Happens on July 19

The day before the Parliament march, the situation is expected to intensify:

• More farmer convoys will reach Delhi borders
• Opposition leaders will hold strategy meetings
• The government's final decision (from the PMO meeting) will be announced
• Wangchuk's health will be reassessed
• Delhi will become a fortress

The countdown has begun. The farmers are on the road. The cockroaches are at Jantar Mantar. And July 20 is coming.