Farmers challenge the Government, its not just another protest Mr Prime Minister

An iron pillar that stands around the midst of the area which constitutes the farmers protest grounds at Singhu border outside the national capital of New Delhi has some dummies hanging on it. A poster below reads that the farmers will give up their lives for the sake of their objective, for which they have plonked themselves at the borders of Delhi since last 20 odd days and are here to stay in the chill nights till their demands are met by the government of India- the repeal of farm laws- legalization of MSP, the right to go to civil courts, enter into contract with private companies and produce for them, and allow anyone in agro business to stock unlimited without restrictions.  Ironically the ‘’annadatta’s’’ are on road.

Farmers in thousands have pitched in their make shift tractor trolleys besides each other. They have come prepared for a long haul to see that the government takes back the newly passed laws in the Parliament. “Sarkar ko manana he padega, hum manvake he jayenge’’,  is the chorus. Each passing day the fire in them just seems rising.They have already had half a dozen level of talks with the union minister of Agriculture and Commerce minister followed by the Home minister but all to no avail. Neither is the government ready to roll back the laws nor are the farmers ready to relent. 31 farmer organizations are taking part in the protest. Amidst the stalemate its just the courage, perseverance, grit and tolerance of the farmers who have descended from various states, majorly Punjab, is at test. Unfortunately they have been called Khalistani’s. terrorists and anti national by some.

 The road leading to Singhu border on GT Karnal road is heavily congested. Multiple layers of security and para military personnel are deployed. Protestors do not stop pouring in everyday and hour from across the border to take part in this fight for their rights issue and stand in unison with their brethren. Gurpreet Singh 44 of Ludhiana says they have come prepared for the winter. ‘We have got mattresses and blankets from our villages.” Others have got desi geysers for hot water for bathing and washing dishes. Langars are running all the day to provide good food, snacks and hot tea to protestors and visitors. Winter supplies like shawls, blankets and tarpauline are distributed free. Small kiosks for medical aid and doctors are set up to help people in need of medicines and advice. Free dental camps are set up. Most of these things have come through donations. Water tanks have rolled in for 24 hrs water supply. To maintain sanitation and cleanliness in such a huge gathering Delhi government has placed a large number of mobile toilets.

The entire area is abuzz with farmers demands sloganeering accompanied with ‘Modi Sarkar murbadad’, Kisan Ekta zindabad’. Posters suspended at every metre define the demands. ‘We are farmers, not terrorists’’, ‘’Stop killing farmers’’, ‘’No farmers, no food’’. A new trend of Punjabi songs supporting farmer community blare all day to keep the spirit and tempo of protestors up. Amidst all the humdrum Sardar Parkar Singh from Taran Taran, an 80 year old who is sitting here along with 5 more of his age since 26 November says, ‘’we will not go back till our demands are not met fully even if it takes a year or two. We will die here if required. Our families in the village will only be happy if we return victorious. Otherwise how will we face them.’’ Another octogenarian Gurmukh says, the government has all the plans to finish us. The new laws will render us slaves of the corporates in long term.’’ His accomplice Harkirat Singh from Taran Taran says ‘’With the laws we will die in the village, its as good to die here.The black laws have to go.’’ The protestors constitute of the young and the old equally with a strong feeling of wrong done to them.

Move a little further, a stage is set where various farmer leaders are speaking on the farm laws and the government. Half a dozen farm organizations have their presence at the site which include Bharatiya Kisan Union, All India Kisan Sabha, Rashtriya Kisan Samiti, Sanyukt Kisan Morcha, to name a few.  Farmers union leaders from Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, even Gujarat (about 50 protestors have arrived) are belting out speeches that range from the disadvantages of the farm laws to the intention of the government (Adani’s and Ambani’s will take over) to nationalism and farmers contribution to nation building whether related to food or sending their sons to fight for the nation.

The protest is peaceful. No anti national organizations or platforms, as alleged, seemed in sight. Instead, banners of Shaheed Bhagat Singh and other religious leaders were spotted behind major congregations.  Jagtar Singh says, ‘’Our protest is inspired by our leaders and spiritual gurus. We will fight till the end. Some people want to discredit our protest by calling it anti national and associating it with various anti national forces. We are farmers and are fighting for our rights’’. Meanwhile around six farmers have died. Not to forget hundreds of farmers who have committed suicide in last many years is Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh, Punjab, even UP.

The government alleges that opposition parties are instigating the protestors and misleading farmers and that the laws were a long due reform which will only help farmers earn more and open up opportunities for them. Major political parties have made an outreach to stand by the farmers. Leaders of Congress, the Left and Aam Admi Party have rallied around their cause and assured them of their support. Contrary to this farmers have a lot to be convinced about. They fear the MSP going away, contractual farming working against them, big corporates taking over their land, cases against stubble burning and not being able to go to courts in case of disputes is their major worry. The government has been unsuccessful till yet since the protests started since around 20 November. Supreme Court having pitched in this slugfest between the farmers and the government has called for a resolve. No protest can be indefinite and that the government should appoint a committee to look into their demands and hasten a truce, ordered the highest court of law of the country.

This is about Singhu border. Similar protests and sit in are simultaneously taking place at Delhi-Haryana, Delhi-Rajasthan borders.  With the firm resolve of the farmers and the unrelenting mood of the government which way will the protest go will be seen in the coming days. Whatever happens the responsibility and accountability lies at the government’s doorsteps. Hope it does not go the Shaheen Bagh way.

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