February 03,2021
Andrew Campbell
Thousands of India's farmers have been protesting against new agriculture laws for months. Farmers and agricultural unions are demanding the immediate repeal of 3 new laws passed in September of 2020. Prime Minister Narendra Modi introduced the 3 agriculture bills to lessen trade regulations on farmers' goods, allow interstate and online trading, enable farmers and buyers to enact exclusive contracts and restrict government regulation in the supply of essential commodities. But, protest farmers believe the new laws benefit only large corporations and threaten hundreds of millions of small farmers in India.
In Delhi, police have reportedly erected concrete barricades, spread concertina wire, and hammered long metal spikes around farmers’ protest sites. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on February 3 ironized the Capital Delhi as being converted into a fortress for the areas around where the farmers are camping have been put under curfew. The internet service has been restricted in many of the surrounding areas.
On January 26, India's Republic Day, farmers gathered about 18,000 tractors assembled in a rally of defiance near the territory of Delhi. The rally confronted police armed with assault rifles, batons, and tear gas. Reportedly one protester died in the clash and 300 police officers were injured. Subsequently, 200 protesters including 8 journalists were detained by police.
Gandhi urged the Central government led by the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) that the issues raised by protesting farmers ought to be resolved urgently. He preached the BJP-led government needs to resolve this problem, which is not good for the country.
In response, the Supreme Court issued an order in mid-January suspending the new laws and appointing a committee to oversee future negotiations. However, the government shows no sign of accepting the protestors' request for a total cancellation of the legislation. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi mentioned the suspension of the 3 contentious farm laws for 18 months.
Photo:Webshot.