“History has been made today in India, when the anti-farmer central farm laws got repealed. However, the development was marred by the fact that there was no debate allowed on the Bill tabled to repeal the 3 laws,” said farmers umbrella body Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) in reaction to the repeal of the three farm laws on November 29, 2021 during the Parliament’s winter session.

Following through on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s unilateral decision, Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Tomar tabled the Farm Laws Repeal Bill on Monday that was passed sans discussions through both houses of Parliament.

Even when these laws were introduced in June 2020 as Ordinances, the central government forcibly passed them without listening to opposing voices. Farmer leaders took note of this repetitive behaviour and further took note of the Statement of Objects and Reasons in the repeal Bill.

“[The Bill] cannot be farther from the truth. In most state APMC Acts, farmers already have the freedom to sell their produce to any buyer at any place of their choice and such a freedom was not given for the first time by the Modi Government as is being claimed,” said the SKM in a joint statement.

Further, it criticised the government for once again failing to acknowledge the unconstitutional manner in which the laws were previously passed. Farmers were not consulted during the formation of these laws, said leaders.

“In a democracy, opportunistic consultations with industry-sponsored farm unions is not the way forward, and there have to be serious deliberative democratic processes adopted. The repeal Bill reflects the egoistic and adamant attitude of the present government, and it is only meant to misguide gullible people,” said the SKM.

Still, not ruminating on the day’s proceeding for long, the SKM reported that as many as 686 farmers have been martyred in the struggle so far. Pointing out that the responsibility of these deaths lies with the central government, farmer leaders said that farmers remain at protest sites to demand assertion of other demands.

Opposition parties continue to support these demands including the legal guarantee to Minimum Support Price (MSP). In the last year, a group of economists also stepped forward to write a letter detailing the many positive outcomes for the overall economy if such a provision is made.

“While some experts are willingly choosing to misinterpret farmers’ demand for MSP and present data of exaggerated public financing burden, the farmers’ movement knows that such misleading data will not stand the test of scrutiny. The investments for an MSP guarantee law are very much within the practical power of the Centre and will come back as revenues as soon as the rural economy receives a boost from such a law,” said the SKM.

Similarly, on the demand of dismissal of all FIRs against protesting farmers, Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar indicated that he will do so on the Centre’s instructions. It may be noted that earlier Tomar declined to comment on this issue calling FIRs a “state concern”.

Similarly, while areas like Delhi and Chandigarh wait for the central government’s direct orders, BJP-led state governments of Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Madhya Pradesh etc. also await the central government’s orders.

“Modi Government cannot escape its responsibility with regard to this demand, or all other pending demands including on withdrawal of electricity amendments bill, around compensation to kin of martyrs, a martyr memorial, about arrest and sacking of Ajay Mishra Teni etc.,” said the SKM.

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Welcome repeal of laws but other demands pending: SKM to PM Modi

The post SKM decries Centre’s tyranny in disallowing debate on farm laws appeared first on SabrangIndia.

The Farm Laws Repeal Bill that calls for the dismissal of the contentious farm laws was passed by the Parliament without any debate on the first day of the Winter Session on November 29, 2021. While this sets the precedent for a major win for farmers, leaders have pointed out that other crucial demands are yet to be addressed.

On Monday, both Houses of Parliament passed the Farm Laws Repeal Bill to dismiss the three contentious laws:

• Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Act, 2020
• Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2020
• Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act, 2020

The same was done with a voice vote although Opposition party Members of Parliament (MPs) from Congress, TMC and DMK demanded a discussion of the laws.

Modi Sarkar wants to push through the 3 farm laws repeal Bill today in Parliament WITHOUT any debate. The passage of the laws 16 months ago was most undemocratic. The manner of repeal is even more so. The Opposition demands a discussion before repeal.

— Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) November 29, 2021

Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Tomar, who tabled the Bill, wrote in the legislature that “these enactments were made for the overall socio-economic development of farmers and rural sector.” However, acknowledging that even the Supreme Court’s January 2021 order stayed the implementation of these laws, it asked to dismiss the same.

“The Government of India ungraciously gives in to one of the key demands of protesting farmers with this Repeal Bill. It is worth noting that [while] it seeks to recall the laws made in 2020 that led to huge historic protests by farmers of India, in its Statement of Objects and Reasons continues to defend the laws stoutly and mentions that only a group of farmers are protesting against these laws. It links the repeal to Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav, with the need of the hour being to take everyone together on the path of inclusive growth and development,” said the farmers group Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) in a joint press statement on November 28.

संसद में कृषि कानूनों को रद्द करने की कार्रवाई पर किसानों की नजर है।

सिंघु बॉर्डर से तस्वीर।#KisanMajdoorEktaZindabaad#RepealFarmLawsInParliament pic.twitter.com/FX6cUPvSlj

— Kisan Ekta Morcha (@Kisanektamorcha) November 29, 2021

In a letter by SKM, farmers listed as many as six major demands of the movement. These are:

1.       A legal guarantee to Minimum Support Price (MSP) based on the C2+50 percent formula

2.       Withdrawal of the draft Electricity Amendments Bill 2021 that the Centre had promised to dispose in earlier talks

3.       Removal of penal provisions on farmers in the Commission for Air Quality Management in the National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas Act 2021

4.       Withdrawal of FIRs against farmers that were booked since June 2020

5.       Suspension and arrest of Minister of State Ajay Mishra from the Union Cabinet for alleged role in Lakhimpur Kheir killings

6.       Compensation and rehabilitation of the families of at least 686 martyrs who were part of the farmers struggle for the past year

Along with this, farmers also raised concern about the Indian Maritime Fisheries Bill 2021 decried by India’s fisherfolk who are recognised as farmers as per the National Policy for Farmers 2007.

Denying government assurances on MSP, farmers said that it is “patently unjustified and illogical” to claim that a Committee to deliberate on crop diversification, zero-budget farming, and better MSP system, etc, can fulfil farmers’ demands. The SKM also condemned Tomar’s comment that stubble burning has been decriminalised, by pointing out Section 15 of the AQM Bill. Farmers also questioned the Electricity Amendments Bill 2021 that is to be tabled today despite previous assurances of dismissing the same.

Farmers also questioned the FIRs on approximately 48,000 farmers in Haryana alone for charges like sedition and attempt to murder, rioting etc. In light of all this, the SKM states that the struggle will not end until the government resumes dialogue with farmers.

“Union Government cannot hope to end the farmers’ protests in undemocratic, unilateral ways,” said the SKM.

Related:

SKM postpones Tractor Rally to Parliament

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Kranti ka Naqsha: Mapping a year of the Kisan Andolan

Union Cabinet completes formalities for repeal of contentious farm laws

Welcome repeal of laws but other demands pending: SKM to PM Modi

Farmers struggle to continue until all demands are met: SKM

The post Parliament repeals farm laws sans discussion, but what’s next? appeared first on SabrangIndia.

“The Union Cabinet completed the formalities to repeal the three farm laws and in the upcoming session it will be our priority to repeal the same in the Parliament,” said Union Minister Anurag Thakur during a press briefing on November 24, 2021.

On Wednesday, Thakur repeatedly told mediapersons that Prime Minister Narendra Modi tabled the proposal before the Cabinet to repealed Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act; The Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement of Price Assurance and Farm Services Act; and The Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act. However, there was no specific mention of plans to accept the farmers’ other major demand for legalisation of Minimum Support Price (MSP).

Therefore, while acknowledging the green light of the Centre, farmers group Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) focused on the Parliament’s Bulletin related to 26 Bills listed for legislative business in the Winter Session. This list includes the Electricity (Amendment) Bill 2021 that the central government had promised to dismiss during earlier talks with farmer leaders. Further, the SKM noted the inclusion of the Indian Maritime Fisheries Bill 2021 – a document that worries fisherfolk, who are also farmers as per the India’s National Policy for Farmers 2007.

“Fisher unions have been voicing their apprehensions and concerns about this Bill and the SKM highlighted this issue on July 28 as well. We also wrote to the Prime Minister about farmers’ intention to continue with the agitation until pending demands are met,” said SKM leaders in a joint press release.

Aside from the aforementioned, farmers demand the removal of penal provisions on farmers in the ‘Commission for Air Quality Management in the National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas Act 2021’, dismissal of the hundreds of FIRs implicating thousands of farmers in the past year, compensation and rehabilitation for families of the near-700 farm martyrs and suspension and arrest of Union Minister Ajay Mishra, the alleged mastermind of the Lakhimpur Kheri killings.

Uttar Pradesh farmers noted that Mishra was kept out of inauguration events organised by local sugar mills in Lakhimpur Kheri following the ultimatum issued by the SKM. Still, farmers questioned why he continues to hold a position in the Union Cabinet.

Regarding the MSP demand, farmers claim a market survey shows that a majority of National Democratic Alliance (NDA) supporters also want MSP to be legally guaranteed.

“On the other hand, official data from the 77th Round of NSO show that a vast majority of farmers have not received MSP. This reinforces the demand for legally-guaranteed MSP,” said SKM leader Balbir Singh Rajewal.

As India approaches the anniversary of the farmers’ struggle, Karnataka’s peasantry declares it will mark November 26 by protesting on streets, highways in 25 locations across the state. Vehicle rallies will be observed at Srirangapatna and Chadalapura in Chikballapur district. Similarly, Tamil Nadu’ protesters will rally with trade unions in all district headquarters. Such tractor rallies are planned in many other state capitals like Patna, Raipur and Ranchi. The former rally left Gariaband on November 25 morning. In Kolkata, protest events will take place on Thursday and Friday. 

In Telangana’s Hyderabad, a Maha Dharna took place on Thursday at the Dharna Chowk near Indira Park. Protesters held up a list of martyrs and paid homage to them.

Meanwhile, thousands of farmers near Delhi will march towards the border protest sites with tractors and ration and other supplies.

Related:

Lucknow Mahapanchayat: Droves of farmers celebrate first victory

Welcome repeal of laws but other demands pending: SKM to PM Modi

Farmers struggle to continue until all demands are met: SKM

Allow legal guarantee to MSP and empower farmers: Varun Gandhi to Modi

The post Union Cabinet completes formalities for repeal of contentious farm laws appeared first on SabrangIndia.

The announcement by the Prime Minister, of repealing the three notorious farm laws that were passed by Parliament, is definitely a big victory for the farmers movement and those who have been protesting these unjust laws for the last one year. 

The government failed to the extent that BJP lost one of its oldest allies, Shiromani Akali Dal at that time when the government took this decision. It felt that farmers would be tired of the protests and would go back home after some time, but that did not happen.

The BJP tried its best and we saw all kinds of efforts to damage the protests. Initially, farmers were threatened with counter protests. Farmers faced protest at the Singhu border as well as Tikri border when local goons were brought in to protest against the farmers under the pretext that it was disturbing traffic and creating problems for the locals. Then came the historic day. The Farmers decided to march into Delhi on the Republic Day riding their tractors. Police hesitantly gave them permission and created chaos at the Red Fort. The government got a handle to suppress the movement as anti-national.

Propagandists on prime time were already shouting loudly to take ‘stern’ action against the ‘terrorists. Every effort was made to instigate the locals against the farmers. A swift police action was being planned at all the three border areas. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Adityanath thought that it was a suitable time to act at the Ghazipur border and hence things were being planned. BKU leader Rakesh Tikait was addressing farmers at Ghazipur border and tears flowed when he spoke, which created a massive outrage in the entire Western Uttar Pradesh belt. The authorities in Muzaffarnagar had warned their counterparts in Ghaziabad to desist against taking any action as it would only create a massive crisis. Rakesh Tikait’s call made the farmers more determined as they started marching towards the Ghazipur border. Before January 26, 2021, it was Singhu border which was the main scene of action but after Rakesh Tikait’s call Ghazipur border became the focal point of the farmers movement.

The massive participation of the farmers from Western Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Haryana actually thwarted the move of the ruling party to make it an issue of “national vs. Anti-national” as they had to deal with their own constituency which has voted with them massively in the last two general elections and 2017 Uttar Pradesh assembly election. If it were merely an issue of Punjab’s farmers, then BJP would have succeeded in isolating them and making it their favourite, we versus them issue but they failed because Bhartiya Kisan Union led by Rakesh Tikait became more vocal and participated with greater strength.

In the last one year, over 750 farmers got killed in these peaceful protests. While all those who laid down their lives for a cause are called ‘Shaheed’ or ‘martyrs’ yet it should not be ignored or forgotten that ultimately it is the union government, its political leadership of the day, that failed them and looked extremely insensitive to the basic demands of the farmers. Anyone who is aware of the extremities of north Indian weather can vouch how difficult and hard it would have been for men women and children of all ages, to sleep under the open sky in hot humid months from April onwards, followed by a rainy season in Monsoon, and again extremely cold weather particularly from December to February.  Many farmers died due to cold weather, and so many others were compelled to commit suicide, but we heard not a single word of sympathy or solidarity.

In the last seven or eight years since Narendra Modi became prime minister, the government, BJP or its ministers have never ever uttered a single word on deaths of people in movements whether student protests or that of anti CAA-NRC or farmers’ protest. The whole premise and focus of this governance model was to completely ignore or shout down those stories of pain, agony and anger. So much was the insensitivity that this government patted on its back for ‘successful’ handling of ‘Corona crisis’ even when we all saw, India was one of the worst in handling the crisis with over 4.65 lakh (four lakh sixty five thousand) deaths, but not a single word of morning, sympathy or failure by the regime. Instead, any one questioning the government was shouted down and faced stringent laws. Media became a lapdog of the government which has completely lost its credibility as it was merely broadcasting stories to malign the opponents and glorifying the ‘supreme leader’. All this only created an extremely insensitive society where deaths and brutality have been normalised.

One should not forget how the media was ‘monitoring’ everything at the protest sites. ‘Fakenews’ ‘reporters’ were pushed to the protest sites to bring stories of dissent among farmers as well as to ‘show’ the ‘world’ how ‘lavishly’ the farmers were living at these protest sites. It was said that the farmers were drinking milk, eating dry fruits and living in luxurious AC huts. Many times, it was also shown as if they were not farmers but goons and terrorists but that failed. Having been to some of these protest sites and speaking to many people including activists and those associated with the movement, I can only say that I found political understanding of the farmers far superior to that of the urban English-speaking middle classes.

Farmers resorted to different kinds of protests but everything was peaceful and democratic. The entire movement is an example of how to fight peacefully against a repressive regime. But it is also a fact that the current regime could not afford to antagonise the powerful farming communities in the election season. According to an article published in Down to Earth magazine, the total number of farm related protests in 2020 was 2,188 as per National Crime Record Bureau data which was 19% more than the previous year. It was also reported that prior to that farm protests had considerably reduced in India after the 2013 land acquisition act was passed and making ‘consent’ an extremely important factor as well as compensation for the acquired land was being provided under well laid terms and conditions.

In the last two years, there were several all-India general strikes called by the farmers, several Chakka Jams, rail rokos and most of them have been peaceful even when the police resorted to highhandedness. The horrific incident in Lakhimpur Khiri where the son of a union minister was involved in the terror incident crushing several farmers and a journalist under his fast-moving SUV will never be forgotten. The minister is still there, and his ‘illustrious’ son got arrested after the Supreme Court intervened. It defined how the government under the current regime was functioning and ‘care’ for public opinion. While the chums of the government were freely abusing the opponent, misusing the constitution and had no faith in India’s inclusive pluralistic culture, those who questioned the unconstitutional means and deeds of the ruling party were arrested under stringent laws where procedures were created to humiliate and intimidate them. The fake news wallahs were provided Z plus security to abuse the constitution as well as the people of India but no questions were asked.

It is ironic that these laws were passed through highly undemocratic means. As the opposition were protesting in parliament supporting the demands of the farmers the government was determined to crush the opposition voices. It brought ‘experts’ to unleash its propaganda against the farmers and support the bill. The one man who stood apart in this entire exercise and spoke with courage and conviction is Congress leader Rahul Gandhi who on the floor of the house as well as elsewhere said that the government would have to withdraw these bills. Mark my word, he had said, you will have to withdraw it. He proved correct and stood taller than any of his contemporaries.

Even when the prime minister made a long speech today, he was sure that the ‘majority’ of farmers all over the country actually ‘supported’ the law as it would have benefitted them. Narendra Modi then went on to say that the ‘government’ was unable to convince a ‘few’ of the farmers, and that he does not want to make any one feel left out hence in the greater ‘national’ interest, he was withdrawing the bill. Though this announcement itself is highly objectionable and unconstitutional, as the prime minister or any minister actually cannot announce any policy level decision outside the Parliament. The announcement ethically should have been made in the Parliament first, but then Narendra Modi and BJP does everything according to the political calculation and as the party was finding it difficult in the Uttar Pradesh elections due for early next year, he decided to announce it. Of course, these days, he wants to ‘speak’ to people every day giving the ‘Darbari media’ ‘enough’ material for discussion for their prime time shows. He does not want to leave a single day without being in the limelight. Today was Guru Nanak Jayanti as well as the birthday of former prime minister Indira Gandhi but the entire country erupted in joy after the prime minister made the announcement of repealing the law. It was unthinkable in recent times for Narendra Modi to concede defeat or regret on anything but political fallout of the farm bill was much more powerful and dangerous to make the prime minister and the government show its back to its crony friends.

Just before we forget as we are habitual in doing so, we must understand what has the government been doing through amendments and new bills for the farmers. Some of the achievements of this government to benefit their cronies during the last two year when the country wanted a better response to handle the corona crisis, when people were dying in the absence of Oxygen and the Ministers said in the Parliament that none died due to that.

They are amending the Indian Forest Act to help their crony friends at the cost of Adivasi lives.

They diluted the environmental clauses and did not want to publish the mandatory notices regarding a new project in local languages only after the Delhi High Court spoke strongly for it.

They wanted to remove the ‘consent’ clause from the land acquisition act so that they can do things at their whims and fancies.

Through legal interventions they actually helped their cronies which flouted the clause under the act under which any company which fails to initiate a project within five year of the contract will have to return the farmers land.

Like the Land Acquisition Act, the government will definitely work on a different plan to bring these things so one need to be alert. It can act through states by suggesting land is a state subject. Various states have already amended their land laws as per the guidelines of the Center. If things don’t work politically, judiciary is an alternative though the current trends of judicial activism give some hope. We wish it become more active and ask questions which political parties or media is unable to do yet a careful scrutiny of all the judgement of former Supreme Court judge Justice Arun Mishra on land acquisition, forest, slum dwellers cases will make an interesting point that Adivasis became ‘encroachers’ in their own land they protected centuries. We know what happened after that. The order was reversed when there was a huge uproar but still various methods were used. Justice Mishra is now chief of National Human Rights Commission openly endorsing the government policy on everything.

Why were farmers so vehement to protest these bills? All the three bills were aimed to protect the business interest of the private corporations and create their monopolies. The farmers had understood it well that their land and life were endangered.

Don’t forget the statement by the National Security Adviser at the police academy in Hyderabad that the ‘fourth generation’ war should be fought against ‘civil society’. When the top officer of the government thinks this way, it is clear how they want to ‘govern’ the country. It is ‘My way or High way’ where the common person will find it hard to walk through without the preconditions imposed on them by those in power or who manage them.

We should not ignore the fact that the withdrawal of these bills is not love for the farmers but to get back to the basics of elections. Western Uttar Pradesh and particularly Jats became the supporters of BJP in the last two decades. Frankly, speaking after the Mandalisation of Indian politics, Jats sided more and more with the “upper caste” parties and BJP was natural for them. BJP’s Hindutva agenda got pushed in the farming belt through 2013 Mujaffarnagar riots which isolated Muslims in the region and made them unwanted. The polarisation has always been used by BJP for its power games but in the process Jats got politically marginalised. So much so that in a state like Haryana, where Jats voted for BJP, the party still has a chief minister belonging to the Khatri community. The farmer movement brought the old Jat pride and association with Muslims. Jat-Muslim unity actually was the last thing that BJP can think of as it is bound to create an extremely difficult situation for the party in the Western Uttar Pradesh where party leaders were unable to make any visit in their constituencies.

A massive turn out in Akhilesh Yadav’s rallies, as well as persistent efforts by Priyanka Gandhi to develop her party, are also creating problems for the BJP in Uttar Pradesh. Initially, BJP felt that ‘promoting’ Priyanka or Congress as their main ‘opponent’ would help them in Uttar Pradesh but it has boomeranged. Priyanka’s meetings and political activism has helped Congress at least in the narrative and perceptions which was not there initially. Uttar Pradesh is definitely giving BJP a nightmare and that is why the entire central cabinet will be campaigning there. It is not for any other reason the prime minister inaugurated ‘ Ganga Express High way’ and brought the air force fleet for a ‘show’. It was nothing but a purely election gimmick. The people did not get impressed. Next day’s rally of Akhilesh Yadav actually showed the mood of the people in the state. There are still three to four months and BJP leaders would go to town with folded hands, saying that the prime minister has taken a decision in ‘national interest’ and why Modi is ‘important’ for India. There will be other things too which will be ‘administrative’ in nature hence farmers’ battle is half won and until and unless there is a change in Lucknow in 2022, we cannot think that the bills are completely withdrawn as there are dangers of backdoor entry like the land bills or by changing the name etc. The MSP issue is still not resolved.

It is important for political parties in Uttar Pradesh to not let their guard down, as the culmination of withdrawal of farm bill should be in change of government in Lucknow which is essential for a political change in Delhi that India is looking for in 2024. The farmers have done their best and it is time for the political parties in the opposition to understand the feelings of the people of India, get united, form long term coalition and fight the battle with courage and conviction so that such anti-people laws never see the light of the day and consigned to the dustbins of history. This must give a lesson to all the political parties that they must not take people for granted and allow free flow of information as a credible media is the need of the hour to give a timely warning to the government about what is going on the ground. Unfortunately, BJP leadership was more grounded in this regard than the media and the result is Modi took a decision because he knows well that the political cost of ignoring his own constituents could be extremely high.

Let us hope the unity of the farmers, mazdoors and others will continue so that the idea of India is strengthened, and no government can dare to take such hasty anti-people decisions in future. Success of the farmers’ protest showed that powerful dictatorial governments can be brought to their knees through peaceful democratic protests, and yet it is important to understand that the battle is not won unless this show of strength and solidarity reflects in political change in the coming days.

*Views expressed are the author’s own.

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The post Repealing the farm laws appeared first on SabrangIndia.

The Farmers Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2020; The Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Act, 2020; and The Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act, 2020 — became laws when passed by Parliament in September 2020.  

In January 2021, the Supreme Court Bench headed by then Chief Justice SA Bobde and comprising Justices A.S Bopanna and V Ramasubramanian, suspended the implementation of the three central farm legislations until further orders. The bench has also directed the formation of a committee to understand the ground situation better. The Bench has suggested Bhupinder Singh Mann (National President of Bhartiya Kisan Union), Ashok Gulati (Infosys chair professor for Agriculture at Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations), Dr. Pramod Kumar Joshi (former Director of National Academy of Agricultural Research Management) and Shivkeri Sangathna’s President Anil Dhanawat as committee members to resolve the issues between the Government and the protesting farmers. 

Long before that, many farmers’ collectives had begun to voice their opinion against the proposal saying the farming community did not want them. Once the massive protest began to take root along the Delhi borders, where the farmers had managed to reach, surviving violence and overcoming massive roadblocks, they were contained behind barricades only seen along hostile international borders. The farmers, most of them from Punjab, Uttar Pradesh publicly vowed not to vote for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) allies in the upcoming elections. Groups even campaigned during West Bengal elections where the BJP was trounced due to many factors. In Punjab BJP ally, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) quit the partnership. On Friday, SAD chief Sukhbir Singh Badal continued to deny any future chances of returning to partner with BJP even after Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that the government has decided to cancel the three farm laws. 

In Uttar Pradesh Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra surmised that the BJP sensed its defeat in the upcoming assembly elections and this announcement is its way to placate the protesting farmers. However, the farmers themselves have spoken to scores of independent journalists that they will not return home till all their demands are met, and till justice is served to the families of the over 600 farmers who have died in the course of the year-long agitation. 

“The movement will continue till the guarantee law on MSP is made,” said RakeshTikait Farmer leader & National spokesperson of Bhartiya Kisan Union (BKU) soon after the PM’s announcement.

एमएसपी पर गारंटी कानून बनने तक जारी रहेगा आन्दोलन ;- @RakeshTikaitBKU pic.twitter.com/JQOCoOLe44

— Rakesh Tikait (@RakeshTikaitBKU) November 19, 2021

Priyanka Gandhi kept the focus on the over 600 martyrs, the slurs and allegations that the farmers have had to endure said, “Narendra Modi ji your minister’s son crushed farmers to death, you didn’t care. Your party leaders insulted farmers and called them terrorists, traitors, goons, miscreants, you yourself called them andolanjeevi, beat them with sticks, arrested them.” She added, “Now, sensing defeat in polls, you have suddenly started to realise the reality of this country — this country has been built by farmers, it is a country of farmers, they are the real protectors of the country and no government can run the country by trampling upon the interests of farmers”.  Priyanka Gandhi said she found it “difficult to believe” the PM’s “ intentions and your changing attitude.”

600 से अधिक किसानों की शहादत
350 से अधिक दिन का संघर्ष, @narendramodi जी आपके मंत्री के बेटे ने किसानों को कुचल कर मार डाला, आपको कोई परवाह नहीं थी।

आपकी पार्टी के नेताओं ने किसानों का अपमान करते हुए उन्हें आतंकवादी, देशद्रोही, गुंडे, उपद्रवी कहा, आपने खुद आंदोलनजीवी बोला..1/3

— Priyanka Gandhi Vadra (@priyankagandhi) November 19, 2021

Rahul Gandhi had predicted the repeal in January, as he led his party to openly support the farmers even before the SAD quit the BJP alliance. 

Mark my words, the Govt will have to take back the anti-farm laws. pic.twitter.com/zLVUijF8xN

— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) January 14, 2021

Now BJP hopes its proposed repeal of the laws will be its lucky charm to win elections of Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand. However the farmers are saying they are unlikely to forget slurs like ‘andolanjeevi’ or parasite that thrives on protests, and being called Khalistanis, etc in a hurry.

#FarmersProtest pic.twitter.com/Ch8DoN2BTq

— Kisan Ekta March (@KisanEktaMarch) November 20, 2021

Since the farmers from Punjab are predominantly Sikhs, BJP’s troll army and some of their apologists in Bollywood had attacked them on social media frequently branding them as “Khalistanis” or those seeking a separate Sikh homeland of Khalistan. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) had summoned around 40 protesters for their alleged involvement in raising funds under the banner ‘Sikhs for Justice’. In its First Information Report (FIR), the NIA accused Sikhs For Justice and other alleged Khalistan outfits of entering into a conspiracy of collecting huge funds for an on-ground propaganda against the Government of India. 

The BJP, had not anticipated that the protest would get global support, and continue for as long as it has. Now that crucial elections loom over the horizon, it has done a U-turn on one of the three demands. However Prime Minister Narendra Modi when announcing a repeal of the three contentious farm laws in his address to the nation on Friday, November 19, continued to defend them, saying Farm Laws were passed with “good intentions” and for “welfare of farmers, specially small farmers, in the interest of the agriculture sector, for a bright future of ‘gaanv-gareeb’.”

PM said that only “a section of them has been opposing the laws, even as we kept trying to educate and inform them,” adding that the government failed to “explain to some farmers” as did “agricultural economists, scientists, progressive farmers” who “also tried their best to make them understand the importance of agricultural laws”.  

His words were echoed by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Adityanath who was quick to welcome PM Modi’s decision to repeal the three farm laws. Adityanath also expressed regrets that farmers could not be convinced despite the government’s best efforts. “We failed to explain our point to the people. I welcome the withdrawal of three agricultural laws by the Prime Minister on behalf of the Uttar Pradesh government,” he said.

आदरणीय प्रधानमंत्री श्री @narendramodi जी द्वारा तीनों कृषि कानूनों को वापस लेने के निर्णय पर… pic.twitter.com/EwjmOpaTG7

— Yogi Adityanath (@myogiadityanath) November 19, 2021

The PM, who is on tour in UP now, had asked that farmers return home. However, the farmers have so far said. They are not in a hurry to do that yet.

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The post Will repeal of Farm Laws help BJP win UP, Punjab, Uttarakhand elections? appeared first on SabrangIndia.

“Today’s development in the form of a morning announcement by Prime Minister Narendra Modi regarding the decision to repeal the three anti-farmer and pro-corporate black laws is welcome, and a historic first victory for farmers of India. By forcing the repeal of the laws the farmer’s struggle has led to a reinstatement of democracy and of the federal polity in India,” with these words on November 19, 2021, farmers group Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) celebrated the farmers’ victory.

However, it also reminded the central government that there are several pending demands that Modi and his government are well aware of, and that need to be addressed. SKM leaders in their joint statement voiced the hope that the government that “experienced a major climbdown in this repeal-related announcement” also fulfil other legitimate demands of protesting farmers, including legalisation of Minimum Support Price (MSP).

“On this occasion, the SKM pays its humble homage to around 675 farmers who have been martyred in this agitation so far, and states that their sacrifice will not go in vain. The Punjab government has announced that it will erect a suitable memorial for these bold martyrs,” said leader Balbir Singh Rajewal.

For now, the SKM confirmed that mobilisation continues for a large demonstration to mark the first anniversary of the movement on November 26. Similarly, another large group of farmers will head towards the Lucknow Kisan Mahapanchayat.   

Following the repeal of the three laws by Modi on Friday morning, he appealed to all farmers at Delhi borders to vacate the area. While the SKM is yet to give an official statement regarding the same, Bharatiya Kisan Union leader Rakesh Tikait said that farmers will not move until their demands for MSP are realised. All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS) Ashok Dhawale and Hannan Mollah too addressed a press conference in the capital city to say that the failure of a legally guaranteed MSP has aggravated the agrarian crisis and led to the suicide of over 4 lakh farmers in the last 25 years. Of the latter, around one lakh farmers died in the last seven years of the ruling regime. 

The AIKS celebrated the announcement as the second defeat for the BJP-led government following the halting of the Land Acquisition Ordinance. Mollah said the news is a big victory against the effort to corporatize agriculture and aggressively pursue neoliberal economic policies.

“Farmers shall not forget the extreme repression, brutal attacks, the killing of our comrades and the insults hurled at farmers. We shall not forget the concrete walls, the barbed wire and barricades, the trenches dug, nails planted, insults hurled, the water cannons, teargas, the clampdown on the internet, attacks on journalists. Everything shall be remembered,” he said.

Similarly, Central Trade Unions (CTUs) reiterated worker-peasant unity against the government’s “anti-people” policies. As such, they resolved to continue plans for the national convention of workers on 11 November and the two-day strike during the Parliament’s budget session supported by the SKM.

“Whatever decisions the SKM will take on the future course of their struggle, the trade union movement will continue with active support which has been extended since the beginning of this historic struggle,” General Secretary Tapan Sen.

Justice to martyrs

Despite the celebratory environment on this Prakash Parab of Guru Nanak Jayanti, the SKM has not forgotten the deaths of many farmers like those who were killed in Lakhimpur Kheri.

On October 3, four farmers and a local journalist Raman Kashyap were allegedly mowed down by Union Minister Ajay Mishra’s son Ashish. Farmers demanded the Minister’s removal from the Union Cabinet to allow a fair trial. This demand remains the same even after Modi’s morning announcement.

Uttar Pradesh farmer unions expressed deep concerns about the inclusion of IPS Officer Padmaja Chauhan into the Special Investigation Team (SIT) set up by the state government to investigate the Lakhimpur Kheri violence. “A perusal of various reports that have come to the notice of SKM of her tenure in different districts of UP show that this official’s record has been against the farmers’ struggle and also around muzzling of media. SKM expresses its sincere hope that the Supreme Court will look into this matter, since the very purpose for the reconstitution of the SIT and to appoint retired Justice R. K. Jain to oversee the investigations is to bring in impartiality and independence,” said Darshan Pal.

According to the SKM, Chaujan, as the district level police official, was involved in harassing and falsely implicating a journalist in Lakhimpur Kheri. Some local farm unions allege that Chauhan invoked the Gangster Act against farmer leaders who were fighting for land rights in the district.

In Haryana, a large group of farmers outside the office of the Superintendent of Police in Hansi, once again demanded that FIRs against three protesting farmers be withdrawn. Instead, they demanded that a case be registered against the BJP leader Ram Chander Jangra for calling protesting farmers insulting names like jobless alcoholics, addicts and so on.

Related:

Centre backs down, repeals three contentious farm laws

Three Farm Laws to be repealed: Prime Minister Narendra Modi

SKM appeals to protesters to keep morale high

New farmer suicide data showcases continuing social inequalities

Haryana: Tensions rise between farmers and BJP leaders

50 farmers were martyred in October alone!

The post Farmers celebrate repeal of three laws at Delhi borders! appeared first on SabrangIndia.

After nearly a year of peaceful protests, farmers on November 19, 2021 finally celebrated the repeal of the three farm laws forcibly passed by the central government.

On the morning of the holy Guru Purab, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the nation and said, “I have come to tell the whole country that we have decided to withdraw all three agricultural laws. In the Parliament session starting later this month, we will complete the constitutional process to repeal these three agricultural laws.”

Since November 26, 2020, many farmers from Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand and other states, had been camping at Delhi borders to demand the repeal of:

• the Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance & Farm Services Act, 

• the Farmer’s Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, and

• the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act. 

Farmer leaders and many experts showcased how the laws benefit private companies rather than the farmers.

Over the months, the movement continued to gain the support of trade unions, civil society groups and marginalised communities and their demands evolved accordingly. Thus, while some people punch their fists in the air, the farmers’ groups and leaders remain wary of Modi’s speech.

“While this announcement is a huge victory for the movement, issues like legalisation of MSP, Electricity Bill 2021 and other demands have not been addressed. These demands are equally crucial,” said All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS) President Ashok Dhawale.

Similarly, Punjab leader and Bhartiya Kisan Union-Ekta (Dakonda) General Secretary Jagmohan Singh said that while Modi has made his speech, the actions will determine what happens next. And though the demand that sparked the movement has been upheld, Singh reiterated that farmers have long since demanded the legalisation of Minimum Support Price (MSP) at C2 + 50 percent as per the Swaminathan Commission report, something that remains as yet unaddressed.

“We will have a meeting soon to decide what we do next. We also want to talk to central government authorities before we make a final decision. For now, farmers are still at Delhi borders celebrating. We will similarly celebrate November 26 this year,” said Singh.

During his speech, Modi also talked about forming a committee to promote zero-budgeting-based agriculture, to change crop patterns as per India’s changing needs and to make MSP more effective and transparent. The Committee will have representatives of the central government, state governments, farmers, agricultural scientists, and agricultural economists.

Similarly, on the matter of MSP, Modi said that the central government has increased MSP and created a record number of government procurement centres. He claimed that the ruling regime broke the procurement “records of the last several decades.” However, this statement is at odds with Rajasthan and other state farmers who have repeatedly voiced complaints about MSP rates.

Further, farmers group Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) also welcomed the decision but said it will wait for the announcement to take effect through due parliamentary procedures. It also paid homage to the near-700 farmers who were martyred in this struggle.

“The central government’s obstinacy is responsible for these avoidable deaths, including the murders at Lakhimpur Kheri,” said the SKM in a joint statement.

During the speech, the Prime Minister lamented how the government could not explain the benefits of the three laws to “some farmers despite our efforts.” Meanwhile, social media is flooded with congratulatory notes to the farmers’ struggle.

And its a WIN, after long 1 year!!
Modi Govt decides to REPEAL ALL 3 FARM LAWS- says PM Modi
Unity & Justice Is On Its Way to Success#VictoryForFarmers #FarmersProtest #KisanMajdoorEktaZindabaad

— Kisan Ekta Morcha (@Kisanektamorcha) November 19, 2021

“First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, and then you win.”#FarmersProtest #FarmLaws pic.twitter.com/XX6hDX4OR9

— Advaid അദ്വൈത് (@Advaidism) November 19, 2021

Now that they have withdrawn the 3 farm laws, next step is to withdraw cases slapped on farmers, free those still in prison and pay reparations to all the protesting farmers who’ve had to endure the vileness of this government in full.

— Disha Ravi ? (@disharavii) November 19, 2021

The repeal of Farm Laws is not a ‘gift’ on Gurupurab. It was fought and earned.

— Kawalpreet Kaur (@kawalpreetdu) November 19, 2021

This is a wonderful news!
Thank you,@narendramodi ji, @PMOIndia, for taking back the farm laws. Thank you, farmers, for raising just demands through peaceful protests. Hope you will happily return to be with your families on the Parkash Purab of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji today.

— sonu sood (@SonuSood) November 19, 2021

Political parties and other experts also commented on the timing of the announcement that came just around approaching UP and other Assembly elections.

What cannot be achieved by democratic protests can be achieved by the fear of impending elections!

PM’s announcement on the withdrawal of the three farm laws is not inspired by a change of policy or a change of heart. It is impelled by fear of elections!

— P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) November 19, 2021

Don’t be mistaken, this repeal of three farm laws is not for farmers but for elections in Uttar Pradesh where all @BJP4India internal surveys predicted massive loss in western UP where party won 70 percent of seats last time. BJP leaders were not being allowed entry

— Chetan Chauhan (@chetanecostani) November 19, 2021

Related:

Amendments to agricultural laws, dangerous for farmers: National Unions

Lakhimpur Kheri killings: Sessions Court rejects bail plea of Ashish Mishra, two others

New farmer suicide data showcases continuing social inequalities

The post Centre backs down, repeals three contentious farm laws appeared first on SabrangIndia.

“Today I have come to tell you, the whole country, that we have decided to withdraw all three agricultural laws. In the Parliament session starting later this month, we will complete the constitutional process to repeal these three agricultural laws,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced in his address to the nation on Friday, November 19. 

The announcement comes exactly a week before November 26, the massive farmer led protest, on the borders of the National Capital, and in various forms across the country, completes 12 months. The farmers have so far refused to end the protest till all their demands, including repealing the three farm Laws are met. 

The Prime Minister said, “The objective of the three farm laws was that the farmers of the country, especially small farmers, should be strengthened. They should get the right price for their produce and maximum options to sell the produce.” 

However, the sheer will power of the farmers sitting on protest, under adverse weather conditions, and dealing with infrastructural challenges while being contained behind barricading (some of which was recently removed), has borne fruit. Repealing the Farm Laws was one of the demands. The other demands are the legalisation of Minimum Support Price and the repeal of the Electricity Amendment Bill and other laws as well as exploitative labour codes. So far, well over 650 farmers have been martyred during the peasant struggle all over India. 

The Prime Minister chose the day of Gurupurab or Parkash Purab of Guru Nanak Dev, the biggest Sikh festival, to announce repealing the three Farm Laws, however on MSP etc. he announced “the formation of a committee to promote zero budgeting based agriculture, to change crop pattern as per the changing needs of the country and to make MSP more effective and transparent.”

आज मैं आपको, पूरे देश को, ये बताने आया हूं कि हमने तीनों कृषि कानूनों को वापस लेने का निर्णय लिया है।

इस महीने के अंत में शुरू होने जा रहे संसद सत्र में, हम इन तीनों कृषि कानूनों को Repeal करने की संवैधानिक प्रक्रिया को पूरा कर देंगे: PM @narendramodi

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) November 19, 2021

He said his government “not only increased the MSP, but also created a record number of government procurement centers. The procurement of the produce made by our government has broken the records of the last several decades.” The PM added that the Farm Laws were passed with “good intentions” and for “welfare of farmers, specially small farmers, in the interest of the agriculture sector, for a bright future of ‘gaanv-gareeb’,” however the government has not been able to convince farmers and “a section of them has been opposing the laws, even as we kept trying to educate and inform them.”

He admitted that the government failed to “explain to some farmers” as did “agricultural economists, scientists, progressive farmers also tried their best to make them understand the importance of agricultural laws”. He asked that farmers return home now that the farm laws had been repealed.

Related:

SKM appeals to protesters to keep morale high

New farmer suicide data showcases continuing social inequalities

Haryana: Tensions rise between farmers and BJP leaders

50 farmers were martyred in October alone!

The post Three Farm Laws to be repealed: Prime Minister Narendra Modi  appeared first on SabrangIndia.