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The farmers call off the stir following the repeal of 3 farm laws and acceptance of their key demands including compensation to the kin of martyr farmers and withdrawal of police cases against them. The government has agreed to form a committee to decide the MSP issue. reports Mudit Mathur<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n The Indian farmers once again relived the spirit of Gandhian legacy inspired by Champaran Satyagraha — the power of peace, truth and non-violence — compelling Prime Minister Narendra Modi to climb down ahead of major assembly polls, for the unconditional revocation of three farm laws and acceptance of all the key demands of the agitating farmers including compensation to the kin of martyr farmers, withdrawal of police cases registered against them during their movement by the Union and state governments.<\/p>\n Farmers unions announced ending year-long of mass protests on the peripheries around Delhi where thousands of farmers from Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan have been camping since November 2020, demanding withdrawal of three “black laws.” However, the Union government did not concede their demand for sacking union minister of state for Home Affairs Ajay Misra Teni, whose convoy, allegedly, mowed down farmers mercilessly killing four farmers and a journalist besides injuring dozens of farmers in Lakhimpur Kheri.<\/p>\n The unions will meet again on January 15 under the aegis of SKM in the capital to monitor and review whether the government has kept its promises to unconditionally withdraw cases filed against farmers\u2019 protests, disbursement of compensation to the kin of farmers who died during the protests and formation of a committee to ensure that all farmers can avail remunerative rates for their produces. Based on feedback on above issues, the farmers would take major decision \u2013\u2013 whether to campaign against the BJP in the upcoming UP and Uttarakhand polls or not? This is also a contentious issue on which various factions of farmers\u2019 unions have divergent viewpoints.<\/p>\n Farmers\u2019 leader Rakesh Tikait, who spearheaded nation-wide movement remained noncommittal over his plans to campaign against BJP in upcoming elections. \u201cI will let my decision known to my supporters at the earliest. I will go in different parts of Uttar Pradesh. Nobody can stop me,\u201d he added. \u201cIf government does not fulfil our demands we will resume our protests,\u201d Tikait clarified. \u201cOur borders will be cleared by 15th December. People have started going back homes happily over resolution of their demands,\u201d he added. \u201cWe have nothing against government in our hearts but only time can tell what will they do for us,\u201d Tikait asserted.<\/p>\n The first non-violent Champaran Satyagraha of farmers\u2019 uprising was against un-remunerative forced cultivation of indigo with barely any payment for it, coincidently, the history repeated itself after more than a century when India faced just identical crisis over last one year when Indian farmers felt their existence threatened once again with enactment of three farm laws allegedly designed to help corporate market forces as a part of majoritarianism policies of the BJP government. The movement emerged as one of the toughest challenges for Prime Minister Narendra Modi.<\/p>\n Champaran Satyagraha led by Mahatma Gandhi has been considered a unique turning point in the history of freedom struggle as first uprising of the farmers against feudal colonial oppressive rule of Britishers in India. It took place in Champaran district of Bihar in 1917 during the British colonial period. The farmers in Chamaparan were compelled by European planters\u00a0 to grow indigo on at least 3\/20th of their land and sell it at prices fixed by the planters. The success of Champaran Satyagraha furnished a blueprint of inspirations to Indian youths for achieving freedom through non-violent methods, toppling British empire in India.<\/p>\n The farmers fought and won historic battle with the government on the strength of people\u2019s support providing all logistic support maintaining supplies of food and essential commodities in their camps surrounding national capital Delhi. The \u201cLangars\u201d (offering of food to everyone in pilgrimage) organised by the Sikh community was also one of the decisive factors behind the longest and historic protest in free India. Thousands of protesting farmers camped out on the borders of Delhi for 380 days have gone back their homes after celebrating a \u2018VijayDiwas\u2019 for their achievements. The farmers’ unions performed Fateh Ardas (victory prayer) and took out a Fateh March (victory march) at Singhu and Tikri protest sites on Delhi’s borders on December 11 before they dispersed for Punjab. Peasant leaders have planned to pay obeisance at the Golden Temple in Amritsar on December 13.<\/p>\n SKM thanked trade unions, women’s organisations, youth\/student groups who struggled along with farmers in this agitation, lawyers who extended legal aid and solidarity, doctors who set up medical camps and gave their untiring services, various religious bodies that set up langar and fed the protestors unconditionally and uninterruptedly, various progressive organisations that stood in support including human rights groups, numerous artists who were there constantly with the movement. Numerous organizations continuously and consistently responded to SKM calls for action. Highway dhaba owners and people who gave space for the Kisan Andolan to run its organisational meetings.<\/p>\n They also thanked NRIs and international farmers’ organisations and others who took up solidarity actions in their own locations. The role of hundreds of volunteers who participated by giving their support was also hailed..<\/p>\n The agitation was just called off on a letter of assurance from the government without any bilateral written agreement with them. In a letter issued in the name of the leadership of Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) by the Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare, Sanjay Agrawal, the central government agreed to form a committee to decide the MSP issue. The committee will consist of government officials, agriculture experts and representatives from the SKM, the umbrella body of farmer unions that has led this protest.<\/p>\n The Centre has also agreed to drop all police cases against farmers in connection with their agitation and also those filed by Haryana and Uttar Pradesh regarding violent clashes with security forces over the past several months including complaints of stubble burning. It has assured the farmers that all cases against them relating to the protests will be immediately withdrawn and has appealed to all states to do the same.<\/p>\n Haryana and Uttar Pradesh have given in principle agreement to compensation for farmers who lost their lives, and Punjab has already has made an announcement, the Centre’s letter says. This is also being seen as a victory for farm unions as the government had told parliament just a few days back that it had no record of the number of farmers who died during the protests. Farmers ridiculed government saying, \u201cThey can count exact number of causalities happened in the darkness when the surgical strike took place in Pakistan, but they can\u2019t see it with farmers in broad daylight.\u201d The Bill on electricity will also be introduced only after consulting all stakeholders, including SKM, regarding the sections that affect farmers.<\/p>\n The sudden announcement of repealing the three farm laws on \u201cGuru Purab\u201d by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in coming winter session of parliament failed to break deadlock. Having repealed the three controversial farm laws, the Union Home Minister Amit Shah initiated to break the impasse reaching out to the farmers by making just a phone call to discuss outstanding issues after their protests continued despite the repeal of \u00a0the farm laws in Parliament. “We will hold a review meeting on 15 January. If the government doesn’t fulfil its promises, we may resume the protest,” farmers\u2019 leader Gurnam Singh Charuni warned government when media persons asked supposing if government did not follow the understanding later?<\/p>\n Dedicating the fabulous and historic victory to about 715 martyrs during the year-long struggle including those in Lakhimpur Kheri carnage. SKM congratulated, \u201call the protesting farmers, their supporters and citizens for whole-heartedly waging an unprecedented struggle and for the magnificent victory.\u201d \u201cFarmers’ unity, peace and patience has been the key to the victory, and this will not be allowed to contravene in any circumstance,\u201d vowed the farmers\u2019 leaders.<\/p>\n In joint a communique of the SKM leaders \u2013\u2013 Balbir Singh Rajewal, Dr Darshan Pal, Gurnam Singh Charuni, Hannan Mollah, Jagjit Singh Dallewal, Joginder Singh Ugrahan, Shiv Kumar Sharma ‘Kakkaji’, Yudhvir Singh, Yogendra Yadav \u2013\u2013 formally announced suspension of current agitation with the lifting of the Morchas surrounding Delhi borders on national highways and various other locations. \u201cBattle has been won and the war to ensure farmers’ rights, especially to secure MSP as a legal entitlement for all farmers, will continue,\u201d it added.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is a historic victory for Indian farmers after a historic movement both in terms of size as well as unity and peaceful nature of the protest,\u201d said All India Kisan Sabha leader Hannan Mollah. \u201cAfter today\u2019s proposal from the government, I feel we have achieved 95% of the SKM’s demands,\u201d added Krantikari Kisan Union leader Darshan Pal.<\/p>\n Surprised over the unexpected retreat from the PM Modi, many leaders left with the notes of caution as well. \u201cFarmers have decided to suspend this agitation for now, but the movement will not end. The fight for farmers’ rights will continue,\u201d said senior Punjab leader Balbir Singh Rajewal, who heads his own faction of the Bharatiya Kisan Union. Gurnam Singh Chaduni, another leader of Haryana-based BKU faction, warned, \u201cWe will resume our protests if the government does not keep its promises\u201d. Farmer leader Gurnam Singh Chadhuni said, “The Samyukta Kisan Morcha-led farmers\u2019 agitation is being suspended because the Centre has agreed to our demands.” However, he warned that the agitation could be resumed if the Centre “backtracks from its promises.”<\/p>\n The demands include law guaranteeing Minimum Support Price (MSP), withdrawal of proposed Electricity Reforms and Seed Bills and sacking of union minister of state for Home Affairs Ajay Misra Teni whose convoy mowed down farmers killing four farmers and a journalist besides injuring dozens of farmers. They also demanded withdraw of jail term for stubble burning, 50% subsidy on diesel and withdrawal of filed against farmers.\u00a0 In an open letter to the Prime Minister, Samyukt Kisan Morcha sought immediate withdrawal of action against farm protesters who \u201chave been implicated in hundreds of cases during this movement (June 2020 till date) in Delhi, Haryana, Chandigarh, Uttar Pradesh and several other states.\u201d<\/p>\n Raising their key demand on MSP, the SKM letter said: \u201cMinimum Support Price based on the comprehensive cost of production (C2+50%) should be made a legal entitlement of all farmers for all agricultural produce, so that every farmer of the country can be guaranteed at least the MSP announced by the government for their entire crop.\u201d<\/p>\n Former Congress president Rahul Gandhi in the winter session of parliament asked the Union Government to provide compensation and jobs for the next of kin of farmers who died during the year-long agitation against the three farm laws on the borders of the national capital.<\/p>\n Moving an adjournment motion on the farmers\u2019 issue, Rahul Gandhi tabled a list in Lok Sabha of deceased farmers whose families were given compensation and employment by the Punjab government. \u201cWe found out that Punjab government has paid compensation of Rs. 5 lakh each to the kin of more than 400 farmers. Of these 400 farmers\u2019 families, 152 have also been given jobs also. I have one more list of 70 farmers from Haryana,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n Demanding a statement from the government on the issue, Congress members along with DMK and NCP colleagues walked out of the House raising slogans against the government when their adjournment motion was disallowed by the chair.<\/p>\n Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi\u2019s statement two weeks ago announcing the repeal of the legislation was hollow as the Bill withdrawing the laws was cleared without a discussion on farmers\u2019 demands regarding MSP and the Lakhimpur Kheri \u201cmassacre\u201d.<\/p>\n Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge too followed the party lines while congratulating the farmers who fought for their rights and attained victory. He reiterated the support for the demand of compensation to the bereaved families of over 700 people who lost their lives during the year-long protest.\u201cWe will continue to fight for farmers’ issues,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav said if his party forms the next government in the state after the upcoming assembly polls it would give Rs 25 lakh to the families of each of the 700 farmers who died during the protests.\u201cThere should have been a discussion on the farm laws, which have been repealed. While the BJP should have informed how the repeal has benefited the farmers, the Opposition could have a chance to raise the issue,\u201d Akhilesh remarked.<\/p>\n Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) president Mayawati urged for a proper law to define the Minimum Support Price for crops. She hailed the repeal of the laws as the victory of democracy but pointed out that the Centre was silent on the demands of farmers on a guaranteed MSP. She called for a discussion in Parliament about taking \u201csolid steps\u201d for the upliftment of farmers.<\/p>\n Shiromani Akali Dal MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal commented, “I congratulate the farmers on their victory today. But 700 farmers lost their lives during their year-long protest against farm laws. We will always stand with and for the farmers.”<\/p>\n The future course of farmers\u2019 agitation would depend on the wisdom of the government, particularly, of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is positioning himself to regain reins of power in the general elections of 2024. But he has to overcome full blown anti-incumbency factors already boggling the minds of his committed electorate. People have started questioning his performance results over his tall promises doubling farmers income and promises of employment to the youth.\u00a0 So, the time has come to heal the wounds of farmers who were attempted to be isolated with all sorts of tarnishing jibe trolls — Khalistani, Terrorist, Maoist, Tukde-tukde gang — to discredit their non-violent and peaceful non-cooperation movement for safeguarding their rights to have remunerative support price for all the agriculture produce.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The farmers call off the stir following the repeal of 3 farm laws and acceptance of their key demands including compensation to the kin of martyr farmers and withdrawal of police cases against them. The government has agreed to form a committee to decide the MSP issue. reports Mudit Mathur The Indian farmers once again […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":40,"featured_media":334962,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[14886,23,2205],"tags":[5318,2768,14780],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/tehelka.com\/rest-api\/wp\/v2\/posts\/334960"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/tehelka.com\/rest-api\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/tehelka.com\/rest-api\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tehelka.com\/rest-api\/wp\/v2\/users\/40"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tehelka.com\/rest-api\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=334960"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/tehelka.com\/rest-api\/wp\/v2\/posts\/334960\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":334964,"href":"https:\/\/tehelka.com\/rest-api\/wp\/v2\/posts\/334960\/revisions\/334964"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tehelka.com\/rest-api\/wp\/v2\/media\/334962"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/tehelka.com\/rest-api\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=334960"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tehelka.com\/rest-api\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=334960"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tehelka.com\/rest-api\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=334960"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}![\"\"](\"http:\/\/tehelka.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/farmers-protest_foods-2.jpg\")
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