Advocate Mehul Bansal, Jadetimes News
Adv. M. Bansal is an Advocate and a Jadetimes News Reporter covering legal news
The farmers' protests in India, which began in late 2020, became one of the largest and longest-running movements in the country’s recent history. Farmers, primarily from the states of Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh, gathered en masse to protest against three controversial agricultural laws passed by the Indian government. These laws, widely referred to as the "farm laws," were seen by many farmers as a threat to their livelihoods, sparking a nationwide movement that would last for over a year and bring into focus broader issues of agricultural distress, economic inequality, and rural discontent.
The protests were not only about the farm laws but also reflected deeper grievances about the structural problems in Indian agriculture, including low farm incomes, lack of proper infrastructure, and the growing corporatization of farming. The movement united millions of farmers and agricultural laborers across India, becoming a symbol of resistance against economic policies perceived as favoring big corporations over the rural poor.
Background: The Three Farm Laws
In September 2020, the Indian Parliament passed three farm bills, which were later signed into law. These laws were:
1. The Farmers' Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2020:
- This law allowed farmers to sell their produce outside of government-regulated markets (known as mandis), which were governed by Agricultural Produce Market Committees (APMCs). The government argued that this would enable farmers to sell their produce directly to private buyers at better prices, promoting competition and freedom of choice.
2. The Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Act, 2020:
- This law provided a legal framework for farmers to enter into contracts with private companies and buyers prior to planting their crops. It aimed to promote contract farming, which the government claimed would help farmers secure better prices and minimize risks.
3. The Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act, 2020:
- This amendment removed cereals, pulses, oilseeds, edible oils, onions, and potatoes from the list of essential commodities, allowing for the deregulation of their storage and movement. The government argued that this would attract private investment and reduce wastage.
While the government hailed the laws as necessary reforms to modernize India’s agricultural sector, many farmers saw them as a threat to the existing system, particularly the Minimum Support Price (MSP) regime, which guarantees farmers a floor price for certain crops. Farmers feared that with the dismantling of APMCs, private corporations would dominate the market, leading to reduced bargaining power and lower prices for their produce.
Key Concerns of Farmers
1. *Fear of Losing the MSP:
- The most significant concern for protesting farmers was the potential weakening or dismantling of the MSP system. The MSP ensures that farmers receive a minimum price for certain crops, primarily wheat and rice. Although the government assured farmers that the MSP would continue, the laws made no explicit mention of it, leading to widespread distrust. Farmers feared that the new system would eventually phase out the MSP, leaving them at the mercy of large corporations.
2. Corporate Control of Agriculture:
- Farmers were also concerned that the new laws would lead to the corporatization of agriculture. The freedom to sell produce outside the mandis, they argued, would primarily benefit large agribusinesses and traders who have the resources to exploit small farmers. They believed that powerful corporate buyers would drive down prices over time, leading to the erosion of small-scale farming.
3. Erosion of the APMC System:
- The APMC system, though flawed, provided a safety net for farmers by ensuring a regulated market and a stable price for their crops. The new laws allowed for trade outside of these regulated markets, which farmers saw as a threat to the APMC system’s viability. They feared that private players would initially offer higher prices to lure farmers away from the mandis, but once the APMC system weakened or collapsed, farmers would be forced to sell at lower prices.
4. Lack of Consultation:
- Farmers were also frustrated by the way the laws were passed. The bills were rushed through Parliament without sufficient consultation with farmer unions or debate, which deepened the distrust between farmers and the government. Many saw this as a top-down approach that ignored the voices of those directly affected by the legislation.
The Start of the Protests
The protests began in Punjab and Haryana, two states with highly productive agricultural sectors that depend heavily on the MSP and APMC system for wheat and rice. Farmers' unions in these states, particularly the influential Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU), played a central role in organizing the movement.
In November 2020, after months of protests at the state level, farmers embarked on the "Dilli Chalo" (Let's go to Delhi) campaign, marching toward the national capital. When police attempted to block their entry into the city, the protesters set up camps on the outskirts of Delhi, particularly at Singhu, Tikri, and Ghaziabad borders, where they remained for over a year. These protest sites became epicenters of the movement, with thousands of farmers living in makeshift camps, braving harsh winters, monsoons, and the scorching summer heat.
The Scale and Organization of the Protests
The farmers' protests were unprecedented in scale and organization. Millions of farmers across the country participated in demonstrations, strikes, and marches. The protests were supported by a wide array of social groups, including labor unions, students, academics, and opposition political parties, making it a broad-based movement.
Key features of the protests included:
1. Nonviolent Resistance:
- The protests were largely peaceful, with farmers emphasizing nonviolent resistance. They organized tractor rallies, sit-ins, and hunger strikes to demonstrate their commitment to the cause without resorting to violence.
2. Unity Among Farmers:
- The protests saw unprecedented unity among farmers, cutting across regional, caste, and religious lines. While the protests were strongest in Punjab, Haryana, and western Uttar Pradesh, farmers from other states like Maharashtra, Rajasthan, and Karnataka also showed solidarity. This pan-Indian nature of the movement demonstrated the depth of agrarian distress across the country.
3. Women’s Participation:
- Women played a crucial role in the protests, with many female farmers participating in sit-ins, rallies, and decision-making processes. Their involvement highlighted the centrality of women in Indian agriculture, where they make up a significant portion of the workforce.
4. Use of Social Media:
- The protests gained widespread attention both domestically and internationally, thanks in part to the effective use of social media. Protesters used platforms like Twitter, Facebook, and WhatsApp to organize, spread awareness, and counter misinformation. The movement received support from global celebrities and activists, including Greta Thunberg and Rihanna, further amplifying its reach.
Government Response and Negotiations
The Indian government initially dismissed the protests as the result of misinformation and political manipulation, but as the movement gained momentum, it opened negotiations with farmer leaders. Multiple rounds of talks were held between the government and farmers' unions, but they largely failed to resolve the core issues. The government offered amendments to the farm laws, but the farmers insisted on a full repeal, refusing to accept anything less.
The government also used a mix of tactics to suppress the protests. Roads leading to the protest sites were barricaded, internet services were suspended in some areas, and protesters faced accusations of being anti-national or influenced by separatist movements, particularly in reference to Sikh farmers from Punjab. Despite these challenges, the protests continued with determination and resolve.
The Impact of the Protests
1. Public Support and Solidarity:
- The farmers' protests garnered significant support from various sections of society, including opposition parties, celebrities, and human rights organizations. The protests became a platform for broader critiques of government policies, particularly in the context of neoliberal reforms, income inequality, and corporate control over natural resources.
2. International Attention:
- The protests attracted international attention, with global media and human rights organizations calling for the protection of the rights of farmers. Diaspora communities, especially the Punjabi Sikh community, organized rallies and demonstrations in countries like Canada, the UK, and the United States in solidarity with the farmers.
3. Focus on Agricultural Distress:
- The protests brought attention to the long-standing issues of agricultural distress in India. Indian farmers have faced rising costs of inputs, stagnant incomes, and the challenges of climate change, leading to widespread indebtedness and a surge in farmer suicides over the years. The protests underscored the urgent need for comprehensive agricultural reforms that address these structural issues.
Repeal of the Farm Laws
After a year of sustained protests, in November 2021, Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a surprise announcement that the government would repeal the three controversial farm laws. This decision marked a significant victory for the farmers' movement and underscored the power of mass mobilization in influencing government policy.
While the repeal of the laws was a major win for the protesting farmers, many also viewed it as just the beginning of a larger struggle for agricultural reforms that would truly benefit small and marginal farmers. The demand for a legal guarantee of MSP and broader systemic changes in Indian agriculture remained key issues for the farmers.
