Wednesday, February 03, 2021

Farmers Protest Continue...

 As the farmers Protest continue:



Let’s Go by the Chronology:

1) In June, two ordinances were promulgated to revamp the agricultural sector: The Farmers' Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion & Facilitation) Ordinance, 2020 where farmers were allowed to sell their produce to anyone they wish, and the Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Ordinance, 2020 which created a framework for contract farming, meant to protect and empower farmers. Besides these two, the Centre also introduced the Essential Commodities (Amendment), 2020, directly in the Parliament which deregulated the production, supply, and distribution of essential items like potatoes, onions, etc. The sentiments against the ordinances heightened in July when effigies of members of NDA and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) were burnt in villages. Eventually, tractors also became a symbol of protest with parties like the Aam Aadmi Party and Congress also taking out their marches.

2) In September the bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha where it faced massive resistance. While it struggled in the Rajya Sabha.  Bill was passed without parliament scrutiny, through ordinance, Oppositions view was not heard, It started as a good fight. Listen to the Video:

https://twitter.com/derekobrienmp/status/1307689051185532929?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1307689051185532929%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fthewire.in%2Fpolitics%2Frajya-sabha-harivansh-derek-obrien-farm-bills

Eight Rajya Sabha MPs were suspended for a week on September 21, prompting them to stage an overnight dharna at Parliament premises. The resistance from Opposition, notwithstanding, the Centre managed to push through the Bills in the Upper House as well. Understanding the fury of farmers, SAD quit NDA in September, while asking the Centre to dump these proposals.

3) But why? If the Farm Bill was passed in consensus with the farmers, or the voice of opposition heard, the situation would never have reached this stage. Farmers believe that eventually mandis would be rendered toothless and they will be left at the mercy of corporates. They also fear the companies will decide procurement rates.

4) Notably, the protest is concentrated in Punjab and Haryana as government procurement in these states is excellent.

5) On September 25, farmers from across the nation participated in a Bharat Bandh, called by BKU, All India Farmers Union (AIFU), All India Kisan Mahasangh (AIKM), and All India Kisan Sangharsh Coordination Committee (AIKSCC).

6) After the protests didn't force the Centre to repeal the laws, in November nearly 40 farmers’ organizations planned a massive agitation, which entailed them to march toward Delhi and stage a sit-in there. However, they were stopped mid-way, with police even using water cannons on them, forcing them to sit on the borders. The Singhu border became the center-point of the agitation.

7) On Dec. 21st first batch of farmers of 11 members went on hunger strike, leading to 5 rounds of inconclusive talks. wherein the government indicated it won't rollback the laws but can give a written assurance on minimum support prices (MSPs). The Centre also promised mandis would stay. Farmers requested the law to be repealed. 

8) The Supreme Court formed a committee to end the deadlock. It also directed the government to not use force against farmers, while allowing them to stage a protest.

9) On 4 January 2021 the court registered the first plea filed in favor of the protesting farmers. Their leaders said that staying the farm laws is not a solution. On 30 December, the Indian Government agreed to two of the farmers' demands; excluding farmers from new pollution laws and dropping amendments to the new Electricity Ordinance. 

10) On 26 January, tens of thousands of the farmers protesting against the agricultural reforms held a farmer's parade with a large convoy of tractors and drove into Delhi. Few protesters deviated from the pre-sanctioned routes permitted by the Delhi Police. The tractor rally turned into a violent protest at certain as the protesting farmers drove through the barricades and clashed with the police. Later protesters reached Red Fort trying to install farmer union flags on the mast on the rampart of the Red Fort. 

11) Before Navreet Singh, of Melbourne University on vacation in India, who died while participating in farmers’ Republic Day tractor rally on 26 January 2021; around 60 protestors died participating in this rally. 

12) The first round of talks was on 14 October 2020 in which the farmers walked out on finding that the agriculture secretary was present but not the minister; ten rounds of talks were initiated, and the Union Ministers first attended the meeting on 4th Jan. 

13) Modi Government being kind enough might Withdraw the Agricultural Laws on 30 February XX.

14) There have been lot of fake news, and conspiracy theory going around since June, but why did all this begin and how did this inflate to such a large proportion? A Stitch in time would have saved nine. 



The Bhakth's respond :

The government has agreed all the points put forth by farmers(i mean middle men group)..

MSP...

Dispute clearance in local civil court..

Not to abolish Mandi system....

Abolishing criminal case charging against those who are burning Baggase....

At last, PM itself said 3 laws can be freezed for 18 months and lets continue discussion on the laws in both the houses and with farmers....

Still they are demanding abolishing the laws in Full which is not acceptable...

Still blaming Modi Govt. Just because its is BJP who implemented this...

Pathetic....

Ok... Continue the campaign...... Seems interesting 😃


 

No my boy, this is not at all interesting.  The policy of divide and rule, has always been dangerous, and always, when two people had a fight, it is the third who had benefitted. 

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