UNITED WE STAND – OUR FORMIDABLE FARMERS
Men, women, the old, the middle aged, the young, the very young – hundreds of thousands of them having travelled hundreds of miles and having faced roadblocks (quite literally too!), intimidation, obstacles, tear gas, water cannons, violence and police beatings; stand resolute and united by one common agenda and mission – protecting their rights and ensuring that the Central government withdraws the recently passed agriculture ordinances which are very obviously ‘anti farmer’. This army of thousands of angry, anguished farmers who have encircled New Delhi, have spent the past four days chugging hundreds of miles across northern India on their tractors, dealing with umpteen challenges along the way like pulling concrete police barriers out of their way, weathering tear gas and water cannons, and curling up in blankets during the bitter cold nights in the back of their trailers parked end to end for several miles, limitless ration supplies for months loaded in their trolleys.
All 31 farmer organizations some of which don’t see eye to eye with each other, have come together unprecedented for this common cause. Afterall, the hands that till the earth can also rise as one. As of now there is three levels of seamless coordination (and camaraderie) happening for every decision. And all decision-making is by common consensus. The march to Delhi all the way from different parts of Punjab has been extremely peaceful and also organized. The formidable force of these farmers has in fact been a catalyst for farmers from other states to join in as well. What is extremely heartening is the participation, ‘josh’ and also the knowledge of the youngsters participating in this movement.
The farmers and their leaders have been shocked at the way the Central government brute-forced the agriculture bills through the Parliament. The society has been startled at the kind of treatment which has been meted out to these peaceful protestors. Ironically, at many places, the protesters served freshly prepared langar to the very police forces who indulged in lathi charge and stone pelting on them.
The farming fraternity has absolutely valid reasons to protest. The farmers want the government to repeal recently framed laws, which give traders and food firms the freedom to purchase outside mandis, regulated by Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC), and enter into contracts with farmers. They also want the government to ensure that the minimum support price (MSP) it currently gives is made a law. They fear losing their income, as guaranteed by the MSP, following which they would be left at the mercy of big corporates who would have leverage while negotiating prices. A law with an MSP provision will guarantee them a minimum income.
The most dangerous thing for them is the ushering in of contract farming. The US experience is that the cartels procure produce of big farmers only. In India, most of the peasantry is small. This means that the small farmer will have to sell at much lower rates to the big farmers from whom the corporates will procure further. Farmers point out that the ordinance will encourage contract farming which would relegate farmers to the status of labourers in their own fields, which will only benefit private companies and institutions.Despite having been subjected to extremely brutal treatment and the government and some forms of media painting the harmless farmers black by labelling them ‘Khalistanis’, the farmers are moving ahead steadily, fearlessly, relentlessly, boldly and most of all, unitedly. The finishing line is not Delhi but victory – albeit still a mirage! For once, Punjab and Punjabis stand united across its far and wide diaspora in supporting the farmers in more ways than one! And why not! We owe a debt of a lifetime to these caretakers of our land, our providers. Please do share your comments below.
Written by – Adarsh Gill Brar
