Since inception of the new farm bills and from the day in particular they were enacted as laws, there were steadfast efforts from certain quarters to build the narrative that the agitations are being spearheaded and participated only by the farmers of Punjab and rest of the country’s farming community has nothing to do with it. But the scenario that has emerged over the past couple of days with thousands of farmers also from Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand joining the march towards the national capital will dismiss the claim. Deep differences over the three farm laws were already there despite all the maneuvers to convince about their efficacies. However, the way things are taking shape, it will not be surprising if the agitations take turn of a mass movement, gradually enveloping the entire country. To get out from the stalemate and avoid its further thickening, the Central government should initiate talks immediately with the farmers and do that is appropriate, either by repealing the acts altogether or by inserting provisions that will soothe nerves.
Visuals of police using tear gas, water cannons and sticks on the protesting farmers at the entry points of Delhi by the Delhi Police which is under control of the Union MHA are enough evidences to corroborate the fact that force has been used. This has not gone down well with the common people and the iron fist has generated waves of sympathy for the farming community as a whole and not of a particular state or states. If morning shows the day, there are strong reasons to presume that another Shaheen Bagh-like movement may just be unavoidable. And if that happens at a time when the fear of a second Covid wave is looming large, it will be an invitation to yet another public health catastrophe. While the government’s decision to allow the protesters to enter Delhi on Friday after much dilly-dallying is a welcome move, face-to-face discussions are urgently needed. It’s not difficult to estimate why the fears of farmers have reached such a high level. There were hardly any debates both within and outside the Parliament, a must for any major reform initiative like this and the haste that marked the passage was also the principal input for the prevailing air of suspicion. The strong perception that has been generated regarding the APMCs is that curtailing of hitherto-enjoyed monopoly is the prelude to their ultimate closure and the much-assuring provision of MSP will also be done away with.
It’s now up to the Centre to think anew to get out of the mess. And to take the farmers into confidence, inflexible attitude should be replaced with patience and an approach of conciliation. 

---

Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

<< Back to News List