Farmers Bandh December 2020

 December 8, 2020

 

I’m watching the farmer’s bandh during work breaks. I feel a swell of pride at how well organised the farmers are. I feel proud at the peaceful nature of their protest despite provocation of water canons, tear gas, barbed wire, and being demonized by right wing media. Today too though they have stopped all traffic, ambulances and health services are let through smoothly. I also feel waves of fear when I see the unfolding story.

 

Supporters of the Modi government have been saying that the farmers are being misled by political opposition, but when I hear the farmer unions speak, they seem clear about the laws and how they are likely to affect them. They have been called rigid by supporters of Modi. The government is now saying they will amend the laws, but the farmers want them repealed, then hold new talks where the farmers can provide inputs. The farmers initially were happy to have them amended, some securities added etc. That was months ago. But they were ignored till they began marching to the capital. Now they are angry and want nothing less. 

 

The ruling BJP launched a counter-attack against the opposition (and the bandh) yesterday, accusing them of engineering the protests for political gains. The famers have categorically denied this. They refuse to let any parties speak on their platforms. Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said the Congress, when it was in power, was in favour of privatising the agriculture sector but was now opposing the move to score brownie points with farmers - who represent a hugely powerful voting group. This may be true. Political parties switch sides. Old BJP stalwarts like Sushma Swaraj and Jaitley said the same things, when they were the opposition, that the opposition is saying now. But if the congress had already proposed these reforms then they aren’t as revolutionary as the BJP have been claiming, are they? Also farmers did not protest then but they are now. This is the issue that needs to be dealt with instead of bringing up history.

There are interesting stats about how many laws have been sent to parliamentary committees in the last several parliamentary sessions. These committees give parliament and public to give their opinions about proposed laws etc. The number of bills sent to these in 2014-2019 were 25% - down from about 80% in the previous session. The number sent to committees in the present session is zero. In a democracy this is shocking.

The government is stalling. They haven’t really proposed any amendments. Meanwhile they are trying to divide the protestors and defuse this protest. The Haryana famers have caved. A law student has filed a PIL to remove the farmers from the borders and send them to the place the govt had offered them. A place far from anywhere where their presence will become invisible and one that they feel will be an open jail. I don’t know what will happen. I really hope the farmers can stand together and get what they deserve. 

 It is also scary to see so many of them together during these covid times. There are old people, women and children also there. It is wrenching to see the children studying while sitting-in at the borders of Delhi. I pray for their health. 

 

The PM hasn’t spoken to them though they have been camped out in the cold for 13 days. He has made appearances on TV and claimed they are misguided and have nothing to fear. He will be laying the foundation stone for the new parliament building on the 10^th. He has time to do this. There are pleas in the supreme court that oppose the building of this Central Vista. Despite these pleas which haven’t been ruled on the center wants to lay the stones. And unbelievably so, to me, the court has allowed this move. 

 

I am hearing a story that the CM of Delhi has been placed on house arrest and MLA’s going to meet him have been beaten up. The police have denied it. I want to stay here and watch this day unfold. I want to know what is going on. My mind and spirit are there but I have to take my body to a meeting. I feel a lot about this and wanted to write despite having just a bit of time.