After the union government passed agriculture laws in themost undemocratic way possible, a series of protests erupted across the countrywith Punjab taking the limelight. Why undemocratic, the reason is that the actualstakeholders were not considered and perhaps discussions didn't happen inLok-Sabha.
It turned the atmosphere in agriculture dominant statesserious where people started discussing the impact as to how these laws couldactually scuttle the development and growth of agriculture and farming asoccupation.
The Myth:Protesting farmers only from Punjab
Determination of farmers took another turn when they leftfor Delhi from Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and other areas to protestagainst the contentious farm laws. After passing the laws in September, thecold days and nights of winter turned the protests hotter across India.
Historic and peaceful are two keywords to describe theongoing tussle between the government and farmers of India.
Although, the Government at the center led by BharatiyaJanata Party (BJP) and the union agriculture minister said that many farmersand experts were happy with the laws. The ministers alleged that only the people of Punjab andHaryana have problems with the laws.
Though one section of the media showed them asanti-nationals, secessionists and terrorists, the farmers didn't budge. Theyare still standing on their ground and peacefully maintaining discipline withonly some incidents that are still obscure and unfounded like the one involvingthe youth who alleged a policeman sent him to kill four leaders of farmers andthen counter alleged that he made the statement in fear.
Despiteall odds, hope of getting the laws repealed is what keeps the farmers of Indiagoing
They are camping at the borders of Delhi- Singhu, Tikriand Ghazipur. Many farmers have committed suicide across the nation becausethey couldn't brave the depressing toil that the protest rang in for them.While some farmers died in road accidents while returning to their home towns. Ifall this wasn't enough, they braved atrocities of police.
Tear gas shells and water cannons were used to disperse them. The farmers braved everything. They didn't respond in asimilar vein. Rather, they kept going on peacefully and disciplined.
Taggedas Khalistani and Secessionist
They were branded as Khalistani and secessionist in theapex court but they are still carrying India's flag atop their tractors andtrolleys. The farmers say they don't have any personal enmity with thegovernment but they just want repeal of laws.
Farmers are expected to carry out a tractor parade on January 26. Itcoincides with the Republic day parade. Look around the world, such proteststurn violent, even the most prominent Black Lives Matter turned violent but thefarmer's in India are walking on the footsteps of Gandhi.
One of the farmers had written a letter of Prime MinisterNarendra Modi's mother Hiraben Modi asking her to convince her son to withdrawthe contentious laws.
Kisans to celebrate the R-day with Jawans
Now when the farmers are gearing up for a tractor paradein a country, it gives us a slogan of 'Jai Jawan-JaiKisan'. While the soldiers will be marching at Rajpath on Republic day,the farmer's of the nation will be marching on their Tractors.
Why tractors? Tractor is a symbol of farming. It isan indispensable part of farming. Without tractors, the life of farmers is likea boat without oars.
Their tractor parade comes at a time when the uniongovernment has broken the talks between farmers and them because the farmersrejected government's offer to put off the implementation of farmer's laws for18 months. Why is it that the government failed in convincing the farmers? Doesthe government know to convince its people? Perhaps Not. The government couldnot convince the Shaheen Bagh protesters and that resulted in Delhi Riots last year. It could not convince the farmers because they thought the resources thatwere at their disposal would push back the farmers. However, everything fell flat.
SupremeCourt’s disappointment over handling of farmers’ issue
The Supreme Court was extremely disappointed at thehandling of farmer's issue. Yet it interfered and formed a committee and putoff the implementation of laws. It even said there can be no precedent in a lawand order situation. How easy it is to drag the farmers in the court when the governmentknows it has power and resources to cope up with it. It becomes more easy whenyou have central agencies at your disposal like National Investigation Agencysending notices to farmer leaders and supporters of farmers' protest. Still,they kept going. Probably, the hope is still strong. Hope is what keeps themmoving.
Whatwill the government do now?
Though the government has tested everything from the patienceof farmers to their resilience, the deadlock seems to be at its peak. The talkshave broken down. Government has become adamant. Is it democratic to be adamant? Isit democratic to not accept the demands of farmers? Perhaps, it is not anelection year where election manifestos give false hope of increasing farmers'income or more prominently doubling their income. It is our new India whereevery issue is trivialized, where the government says everything is fine andinternational media is stopped from covering several events or going to certainparts of our country. It has become India where 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikaas'rings hollow.
While the farmers comprising of women-young and old,children and men are sitting at the borders of Delhi, it is time to reflectback on what have they done. Are they asking for anything so special that thegovernment can't give them? The farmers still trust the government. That is whythey are still protesting peacefully. That is why they have not returned totheir home towns. They have hope. They are shelling out money to buy newtractors and go to Delhi, to be the part of tractor parade. They are goingperhaps, to show the government how protests work in a democratic set up. Doesgovernment need any more proof of their resilience? Government has to show thatit can protect the hopes and trusts of its people. Government will beresponsible if vile elements took advantage of the ongoing agitation. Time iseverything the government has and doesn't have. The only solution is to stepback.
Shouldgovernment repeal the Farm Laws?
Stepping back is essential. One has to take several stepsback to achieve aims of higher jumping. Now is the time to reclaim the losttrust and renew the hope of farmers of the nation. After all, development isn'tonly possible by implementing laws and it is not linked to acts but winningpeople over and these are people of the country. Precisely, the farmers whofill the food bowl of India. Development is possible only if the governmentsteps back. Otherwise, suppressing the people of the country and especially thefarmers won't yield any outcome. It will suppress the cause. Let thedevelopment be on the side of farmers and it is only possible if governmentagrees to their demands.