The 7th round of talks on Monday between the farmers’ unions and the Central government was keenly watched with the hope that a solution to the impasse prevailing over the three farm laws emerges. It has been far from so and just like all previous rounds it proved to be a damp squib. Although a next date has been fixed for another sitting, there is a growing perception that the government is steadfastly sticking to its ‘tire out and drive away’ strategy. How far it is going to pay off is a matter of debate given the fact that the farmers’ determination to adhere to their original demands have only grown stronger after each round. The Supreme Court’s observation seems to be coming true- the unending agitation that has its nerve centre in the national capital is on the way of getting metamorphosed into a raging national issue.
A telling nonchalance on the part of the government since the protests culminated at the borders in Delhi from November end was much visible. The same saw a repetition today as at the end of the four-hour meeting involving the protesting unions and three central ministers including the Union Agriculture Minister, the farmers were told that there is no question of repealing the laws and they can knock the doors of the apex court if they wish. That today’s meeting has been a total failure is apparent from the fact that there was no discussion even on one of the key demands which is a legal guarantee to the MSP procurement system. But the grit shown by the agitating farmers tells a lot what is in the making. They have already braved the harshest of winters in recent memory and still undeterred with the demise of around 60 of their companions due to inclement weather, have chosen the Republic Day to take their agitation further. By then and if the talks in between fail, thousands of farmers mainly from Punjab, Haryana and western Uttar Pradesh currently protesting at various Delhi borders for over a month will be joined by thousands of others from across the country. Effects will definitely become prominent as days go by and a chaos which will be greater than the current one is almost inevitable. At the moment, however, saner counsel is nowhere in sight and it will elicit no surprise if the affair culminates into a law and order situation in no time.
It’s most unfortunate that at a time when all concentration needs to be converged in making the COVID vaccination challenge successful, precious time and energy are being sucked off by an issue that was well avoidable. 

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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

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