Indian farmers are protesting against three new agricultural laws passed by the government of India. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government claims that these laws will bring greater reform, deregulation and better opportunities for farmers. However, farmers and their unions claim that it will actually harm them, and only benefit large corporations.
The new laws were passed in September 2020, but they were only implemented in November. Since then, farmers have been protesting on the outskirts of Delhi, in the areas of Singhu, Tikri and Ghazipur. These protests have been called the largest protest in history, with estimates of over 250 million people in attendance.
The new agricultural laws are as follows: the Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2020; the Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Act, 2020; and the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act, 2020.
The first law, Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2020, allows farmers to sell their produce outside of government-controlled markets, known as mandis. This means that farmers can sell their produce to private companies and individuals, who can be located anywhere in the country, without having to pay any taxes to the state.
The second law, the Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Act, 2020, allows farmers to make agreements with private companies, without the need for middlemen.
The third law, Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act, 2020, allows companies to stock, produce and distribute essential commodities, such as food grains, pulses and onions without any restrictions from the state government.
Farmers are concerned that these laws will undermine the current system of minimum support price (MSP), which guarantees the government buying a certain quantity of agricultural produce at fixed prices, providing a minimum income guarantee to farmers.
Farmers’ unions argue that the new laws will only benefit large corporations, who will have more power to exploit them. They claim that farmers will lose their bargaining power and that they will be forced to sell their produce at lower prices to private companies.
The new laws could impact the livelihood of millions of farmers who already face precarious economic conditions. Agriculture contributes to roughly 14% of India’s GDP, with over half of the workforce being in agriculture.
The protests have been peaceful so far, but there have been reports of police brutality and attempts to suppress media coverage. The Indian government and farmers’ unions are currently in discussions, but no agreement has been reached so far.
The issue has gained international attention, with many people showing their support for the farmers’ protests. Celebrities such as Rihanna and Greta Thunberg have tweeted in solidarity with the farmers, sparking a response from the Indian government and media.
In conclusion, the Indian farmers’ protest against the new agricultural laws is a significant issue that has divided the country. Farmers are concerned that these laws will only benefit large corporations, and they are fighting to protect their livelihoods. The government should listen to their concerns and work towards a solution that ensures the protection of the farmers’ rights and their economic well-being.
