A vaccination drive for frontline health workers that has triggered 53 adverse reactions on the first day (One critical) and its stated objective of safeguarding the health of those who safeguard the health of others is in direct contrast to the ongoing farmers’ agitation which has thousands of farmers congregated against farm laws that the government says will help them opt out of their debt, and help the government shift their burden to the private sector (both at the cost of the farmer though).
The agitation against the farm laws seems to have no end, despite the Government’s attempts at a guarded dialogue that gives away nothing and expects everything in return. On the face of it, they are now aided in this noble venture by the judiciary and the central investigation agencies. But the Farmers, like the Indian Cricket team, are stoic in defence and resilient in their resolve to have the farm laws repealed.
Tens of thousands of farmers have been camping out on the outskirts of Delhi for over 50 days, with at least nine rounds of talks between the government and farmers’ groups failing to resolve the deadlock. The two sides are set to next meet on January 19. Farmers have promised to march along with their tractors during Republic Day celebrations on January 26, if the government does not repeal the laws that they say would benefit large corporate buyers at their expense. They have refused to call it off despite appeals and the matter will be heard by the Supreme Court on Monday at the Centre’s request. On January 12, a three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice SA Bobde had issued a notice on the application to hold the march to the farmer unions.
In its application filed through the Delhi Police, the government cited the historical and constitutional significance of Republic Day and said the farmers’ march was aimed to “disturb and disrupt” the celebrations. “Any disruption or obstruction in the said functions would not only be against the law and order, public order, public interest but would also be a huge embarrassment for the nation,” it read.
It does appear that the Centre’s second line of defence is the judiciary and not itself!
The Scroll reports that Swaraj India President Yogendra Yadav as saying that there will be no disruption will be caused to the official Republic Day parade. “The parade will be very peaceful,” he added. “The farmers will put up the national flag on their tractors.” It also reports that the farmer unions have alleged that the National Investigation Agency has started filing cases against those who are supporting the agitation.
An iron fist in a velvet glove?
The Government’s approach is multi-pronged including the use of the Central Agencies to “investigate” and it has, according to the scroll.in summoned around 40 persons, including farmer leader Baldev Singh Sirsa, for questioning in a case registered against the Sikhs for Justice, a foreign-based group that advocates secessionist and pro-Khalistan activities in India. The two issues are unconnected, but the timing seems connected! Krantikari Kisan Union chief Darshan Pal said all the farmer unions condemn this action by the central agency to target them. “We will fight this in every possible way,” he added.
Scroll reports that Balbir Singh Rajewal, a senior leader of the Samyukt Kisan Morcha, a platform of farmer unions, told the Hindustan Times that no farmer who has received such notices for questioning will appear before the agency. “There are many organisations which are helping us in so many ways by organising langars [canteens], logistics, tents etc,” he said. “The government is trying to threaten them and weaken the agitation through harassment. We have decided that no farmer who has got these notices will appear before the NIA as a mark of protest.”
Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha and Hasiru Sene (KRRSHS) secretary, Manohar Shetty explained that in Bengaluru also a tractor march will take place on the Republic day. Farmer’s organisations will conduct the mammoth rally in the streets of Bengaluru on the republic day after the flag hoist programme. Various social, youth and farmers organisations are participating in the protest, which is in support of the Tractor March. Speaking in support of the farmers’ protest he said, “the new farm law was made in a very undemocratic manner at a time when people were living in a state of fear and lockdown due to Covid. Hence, not an amendment but a complete withdrawal from the law is the way to go.” The movements think that, Union Government has a hidden agenda to derail the movement. Instead, they urge the Government to make necessary changes as expected by the farmer’s movement.
What is the issue at hand?
The farmers believe that the new laws undermine their livelihood and open the path for the corporate sector to dominate the agricultural landscape. It’s a lucrative business with its ups and downs that Corporates can iron out for themselves with their infrastructure capacity and huge access to bank funds.
The key issues are the providing of a Minimum Price prescribed by the government, below which private players will not be able to procure grains or any other crop and Contract Farming altering crop patterns in favour of commercially viable crops. There is also the issue of hoarding by huge private players with Cold chain infrastructure for long periods after bulk procurement at low prices during gluts. That is where MSPs play an important role. They are all connected.
The government, on the other hand, maintains that the new laws will give farmers more options in selling their produce, lead to better pricing, and free them from unfair monopolies. The law passed in September are meant to overhaul antiquated procurement procedures and open the market, the government has claimed.
Photo Courtesy: Randeep Maddoke
