Explained: Who are the Punjab and Haryana farmers protesting in Delhi, and why?
Delhi
Chalo farmers protest march: A look at who is protesting, and what led
to this situation where farmers are surrounding the national capital
from all directions.
Anger
against the three central farm legislations has been simmering since
September. For the last three days, thousands of farmers from Punjab,
Haryana, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh have been marching toward the
national capital and are nearing the borders.
After
failing to garner support from their respective state governments, the
farmers have decided to mount pressure on the Union government, due to
which they are coming to Delhi. While BJP governments in UP and Haryana
have failed to convince farmers, governments of Rajasthan and Punjab
have extended full support to their agitation. Farmers want the Union
government to either withdraw the three legislations or guarantee them
the minimum support price (MSP) for their crops by introducing a new
law.
Farmers march to Delhi: Who is protesting?
Gurnam
Singh Chaduni is leading the protestors from Haryana. Gurnam had
contested the 2019 Assembly elections from Ladwa constituency in
Kurukshetra district, but got only 1,307 votes. However, he was quite
active in raising farmers’ issues and led several protests across the
state. He entered the limelight again soon after the central government
announced the three farm Bills. Gurnam is facing several criminal cases
for leading the protests and causing disruption of law and order.
Apart
from Gurnam, several national and regional farm unions, comprising many
leaders, have joined hands under the umbrella banner of Samyukt Kisan
Morcha.
This
includes Rashtriya Kisan Mazdoor Sanghatan led by VM Singh; Jai Kisan
Andolan led by Avik Saha and Dr Ashish Mital; All India Kisan Mazdoor
Sabha led by V Venkataramaiah; All India Kisan Sabha led by Dr Ashok
Dhawal, Hannan Mollah, Atul Kumar Anjaan and Bhupinder Samber;
Krantikari Kisan Union led by Dr Darshan Pal; BKU (Dakaunda) led by
Jagmohan Singh; ASHA-Kisan Swaraj led by Kavitha Kuruganti and Kiran
Vissa; Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha led by Kodihalli Chandrasekhar;
National Alliance for People’s Movements led by Medha Patkar; Lok
Sangharsh Morcha led by Pratibha Shinde; All India Kisan Mahasabha led
by Rajaram Singh and Premsingh Gehlawat; Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghatana
led by Raju Shetti; Sangtin Kisan Mazdoor Sanghatan led by Richa Singh;
Jamhoori Kisan Sabha led by Satnam Singh Ajnala; All India Kisan Khet
Mazdoor Sanghatan led by Satyawan; Kisan Sangharsh Samiti led by Dr
Sunilam; Terai Kisan Sabha led by Tajinder Singh Virk; and Jai Kisan
Andolan led by Yogendra Yadav.
Other
organisations include the BKU (Rajewal) led by Balbir Singh Rajewal;
BKU (Chaduni) led by Gurnam Singh Chadhuni; Ganna Sangharsh Samiti in
Bhadson led by Rampal Chahal; Ganna Sangharsh Samiti in Sahjadpur led by
Vinod Rana; Kisan Sangharsh Samiti led by Satyawan Danoda; Rashtriya
Kisan Mahasangh; and several factions of BKU and BKU (Ugrahan) led by
Joginder Singh Ugrahan.
In
a recent affidavit filed in the Punjab and Haryana High Court
pertaining to the preventive arrests of several leaders, the Haryana
government termed majority of these groups as “oganisations with history
of indulging in criminal activities, creating law and order problems
and disturbing public peace and order.”
Delhi Chalo march: Why are farmers angry?
Farmers
do not accept the three new legislations — The Farmers’ Produce Trade
and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation); The Farmers (Empowerment and
Protection) Agreement of Price Assurance; and Farm Services and The
Essential Commodities (Amendment).
They
believe the laws will open agricultural sale and marketing outside the
notified Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC) mandis for
farmers, remove the barriers to inter-state trade, and provide a
framework for electronic trading of agricultural produce.
Since
the state governments will not be able to collect market fee, cess or
levy for trade outside the APMC markets, farmers believe the laws will
gradually end the mandi system and leave farmers at the mercy of
corporates.
Farmers
believe that dismantling the mandi system will bring an end to the
assured procurement of their crops at MSP. Similarly, farmers believe
the price assurance legislation may offer protection to farmers against
price exploitation, but will not prescribe the mechanism for price
fixation.
Farmers
are demanding the government guarantee MSP in writing, or else the free
hand given to private corporate houses will lead to their exploitation.
The
arhtiyas (commission agents) and farmers enjoy a friendship and bonding
that goes back decades. On an average, at least 50-100 farmers are
attached with each arhtiya, who takes care of farmers’ financial loans
and ensures timely procurement and adequate prices for their crop.
Farmers believe the new laws will end their relationship with these
agents and corporates will not be as sympathetic towards them in times
of need.
How did matters escalate to this situation?
Farmers
in Punjab and Haryana are known for their adamant attitudes. Any use of
force by the state further agitates them. In October, a month after the
three farm legislations were enacted by the Centre, the Punjab Vidhan
Sabha convened a special session and not only rejected the laws by a
unanimous resolution but also passed three farm amendment Bills removing
Punjab from the ambit of the central laws.
After
Punjab did this, farmers in Haryana also sought support from their
government. However, failing to get any response, farmers camped outside
Deputy Chief Minister Dushyant Chautala and Power Minister Ranjit
Chautala’s residences in Sirsa.
Dushyant
and his party, the Jannayak Janata Party (JJP), have been calling
themselves a farmer party and have a major vote bank among the rural
population. But, Dushyant too sided with the BJP and supported the three
central farm legislations.
Chief
Minister Manohar Lal Khattar held talks with certain farmer unions, but
failed to convince them of the new central laws. When farmers realised
the Haryana government would not help them, they decided to march
towards Delhi and mount pressure on the Union government.
In
September too, farmers led by BKU president Gurnam Singh Chaduni
blocked the Ambala-Delhi national highway for over three hours. Police
cane-charged the protestors and registered criminal cases against them,
including on charges of attempt to murder, further infuriating the
farmers, who then subsequently called for a ‘Delhi Chalo’ march.
In
Haryana, except for the ruling party BJP and its ally JJP, all
political parties are backing farmers in their protest. The Congress,
led by Bhupinder Singh Hooda, and INLD, led by Abhay Chautala, have
openly supported the farmers’ agitation. It suits the opposition in
Haryana to keep hammering the BJP on farmers’ issues and mounting
pressure on the JJP to blackout from the alliance.
Raking
up the farmers agitation has already yielded results for the Congress
in the recently-held Baroda bypoll, where, despite all strength infused
by BJP and JJP, the ruling alliance could not win.
Punjab,
on the other hand, is a Congress-ruled state led by Captain Amarinder
Singh. The main opposition party, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), led by
Sukhbir Singh Badal, has already shown its support to farmers with
Harsimrat Badal even resigning from her ministerial berth.
Farmers
enjoy immense support in Punjab from both ruling and opposition
parties. That was the reason farmers in Punjab kept protesting, blocking
rail and road networks, since the state government extended its full
support to them.
The
Centre and Haryana governments had outrightly failed to convince
farmers. Despite assurances given by Prime Minister Narendra Modi,
several Union ministers and Haryana CM Khattar, farmers have refused to
accept the legislations. BJP’s efforts, from social media campaigns to
tractor rallies, to convince farmers have failed badly.
Don’t miss from Explained | Why protesting farmers are still talking of two 2018 private member Bills
Punjab, Haryana farmers protest: What can be expected now?
The
situation is extremely volatile since the farmers are determined to
enter Delhi and camp there. Farmers are carrying ration that can last
months and are in no mood to turn back. Any use of force by the state
may lead to a major law and order disruption.
The
BJP in Haryana, however, is in a catch-22 situation. To enter Delhi,
farmers have to cross through Haryana’s territory. The Haryana
government has failed to prevent the swelling crowds of farmers that are
coming in from both Rajasthan and Punjab — Congress-ruled states. The
ruling party in Haryana also cannot afford another law and order
disruption, since it suffered immense loss in 2019 Assembly polls due to
such incidents during its first term. Barring Khattar and Anil Vij, the
entire cabinet was wiped out.
Between
2014 and 2019, Haryana witnessed three major law and order situations:
the Jat agitation, in which over 30 people were killed; the arrest of
Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, during which over 41
persons lost their lives; and the arrest of self-styled godman Rampal,
in which over seven persons were killed.
In
the current situation, the police has already used water canons and
tear gas to disperse the agitated farmers — but both methods have
failed.
IMPORTANCE OF FARMER TO THE NATION
Now
I am going to discuss the importance of farmer in the future
generations. According to world’s survey our India is one of the top
countries in cultivation and farming. But now -a -days Indian farmers
stayed a neglected community for decades despite their huge contribution
in economy of the Nation. Indian farmers are the backbones of our
nation’s economy as Indian economy is primarily Agriculture based
country. Statics reveal that Indian agriculture is sector accounting for
18% of india’s Gross Demostic Product(GDP) and provide employment to
nearly 50% of workers. Unfortunately despite being the main people in
such industry ,Indian farmers are constantly subjected Harassment,
Unemployment or lower payment of crops and such other things subjecting
them into incur losses and face Poverty. India is the largest producer
of wheat,rice,pulses and spices and has more scope for groth in
agricultural sector. If farmers get an assured minimum support prices
for their produces and also if the functioning in trade is made digital
or online,or by eliminating middle person who is exchanging goods from
farmers to factories or from factories to farmers. Then the financial
state of farmers will be improved in agricultural fields is witnessed in
some places, due to new laws and polices provided an important issues
to discuss in schools on other social and political platforms.
The
language used is kept simple ,so as to make every student understand
the issues concerning the farmers and provide opinions and also organize
debates on issues. A simple Indian farmer speech with all statics and
relevant explanations is bound to add knowledge
AN INDIAN FARMER’S SPEECH
A
very good morning to all ladies and gentlemen present over here in the
nice morning time . Today this gathering announced here for showing our
respect and gratitude to very precious part of our country is the great
Indian farmers and I am feeling a very lucky to be a part of this event.
This is one of the most prestigious and great events that had ever
attended. I am feeling proud to be a former. Now I would like to tell
you or share you is now-a-days people are neglecting forming as they are
not giving farming as option also to their children. If this continues
in future India’s economy may fall down and in future India may face
food and unemployment crises. Now-a-days parents are fearing to give
their daughter to a farner . But they do not that in future farmer
become the king of the nation as before and suits for the slogan “FARMER
IS THE BACKBONE OF NATION”. In the future the people who are harassing
the farmers will realise their mistake and realise it. When we here the
word “FARMER” the first thing come in our mind is Hardwork and
dedication. They are the most dedicating and hardworking people of the
Nation. So we should respect them. A farmer is a person who feeds him
self and as well as his family by a very less amount of income even
after working very hard and this is the fact of their world. Finally I
am going to tell you one thing ,Do not neglect farmers. It is my
pleasure and honour to host this meeting.
Thank you all for this wonderful moment in my life.
Honor the Hard Work of Farmers across the World
Farmers
play a vital role in providing the basics for all of our food needs as
well as in changing the agricultural landscape. By managing farming
practices, farmers also assure the sustainability of the whole flora and
fauna. Agriculture currently occupies one-third of the Earth’s land
surface. It is the central activity for much of the world’s population,
providing the food for people throughout the world. Farmers are the
so-called ‘’stewards'’ of agriculture. They protect the farm product
from the time of sowing to the time it reaches the market. Their hard
work is the reason that most of us have food on our tables every day.
This is an adequate reason to celebrate a day dedicated to farmers. It
is known as National Farmer’s Day and is celebrated across the world in
October, with the actual date dependent on the country. This day is
devoted to farmers and their farming techniques. It is intended to give
them thanks for their contributions to economy, listen to their stories,
and learn from their farming practices which are still successful
today. October is an appropriate time to celebrate National Farmer’s Day
since it is near the end of the harvest. Many farmers will be able to
take a rest from their hard labor to join in the celebration of this
holiday. Whether a farmer grows crops, vegetables, fruits, dairy, swine,
sheep or cattle, he has a good reason to celebrate this day. So, don’t
hesitate, thank the farmers on this special day for the hard work they
do to supply us with food! To all farmers who already use Agrivi
software and to our future users, Agrivi wishes you a happy and
productive Farmer’s Day!
To
all farmers who already use Agrivi software and to our future users,
Agrivi wishes you a happy and productive Farmer’s Day in October!