By Advocate Asutosh Sharma
New Delhi (26/02/2024): Prior to 2024, I had always termed the farmers of our country as the “Anndaata’s”. However, there’s a marked change in my perception now in the aftermath of the “Farmer’s Agitation- Part 2 that was re-launched this year in 2024. The latest agitation by farmer’s has compelled me to discern the difference between the real farmer’s and the one’s protesting on luxurious vehicles who seem hell bent on creating ruckus for the common man in the National Capital.
Ideally speaking the term “Daata” or “Anndaata” should be kept reserved for only the “Supreme Force” who happens to be the ultimate, selfless Giver for humanity.
The crops are not given by farmers free of cost, so it’s time to do away with the custom of bestowing epithets to any segment of the society.
Likewise, the honest tax payer who has been paying his or her taxes since ages, too cannot claim to be doing any favour towards his government or country as it’s a mandatory obligation that they are bound to fulfill.
Moral of the story being that all occupations, vocations and professions deserve to be treated at par sans any bias.
Now coming to the core issue of the present agitation on the Punjab- Haryana borders. It’s a given that the “real farmer” has literally no time to spare for such long drawn protests, and that too for an indefinite period. More importantly, a “real farmer” will never hold his country or state to ransom for whatsoever cause.
In a democracy, every citizen has a right to protest and express their disenchantment over issues that they disagree with. However, no one is entitled to stage a rebellion against their own state machinery, thereby jeopardizing the law and order situation, and posing a threat to the well being of innocent citizens.
The government is duty bound to take preventive measures well in advance, and cannot imprudently leave matters to fate.
This precisely explains why para military forces have been deployed to maintain peace and decorum.
On the other hand, isn’t it highly reprehensible on the part of the protestors to adopt an unprecedented confrontationist approach against their own country’s mechanism and its law and order authorities, as if they were their arch enemies.
It’s scary witnessing how some “protestors” masquerading in the guise of “innocent farmers” are hell bent in creating anarchy in the capital city as they have come equipped with hydra borers, JCB’s, riding atop their tractor trolleys.
The protestors have given a deadline to the government to adhere to their demands, failing which they have threatened to break the iron barriers on the Shambhu and the Khanauri border along the Punjab- Haryana highway.
The Centre, is fully justified in thwarting the attempts of the protestors from reaching the capital city considering how the protestors in 2021, in the guise of their peaceful tractor march in Delhi, had gone on to breach the ramparts of the Red Fort, consequently bringing disrepute to the nation’s glorious image on the momentous occasion of Republic Day.
The farmer’s of our country have been getting incentives and subsidies which are almost at par with those granted to the country’s defence and health segment.
Sardonically, the protestors seem oblivious of the hypocrisy of Canadian government that, on on hand, seems to be advocating for the cause of Indian farmers. On the other hand, the same Canadian dispensation criticizes India in W.T.O for doling out unreasonable farm subsidies.
While the demand for a legal guarantee on MSP on certain crops is truly justified, it is simply impractical to include all the crops under the ambit of MSP.
The Modi government has certainly initiated some good reforms for farmers in their last ten years of governance, although they are still to achieve a breakthrough in enabling farmers to come out of the vicious cycle of wheat and paddy cultivation. The need of the hour is to save both the groundwater as well as the soil. Akin to Modi government’s game changing initiatives such as “Make in India”, “Skill India”, “Digital India” campaigns, the need of the hour is to give a push to the much needed “Grow in India” movement. But for this to see the light of the day, the atmosphere should be congenial and conducive.
Due onus needs to be given to horticulture by promoting the cultivation of vegetables, fruits and flowers. It’s time to give an impetus to the growth of kinnows, tomatoes and potatoes, and the government needs to do all possible to support the farmers in this context.
The intent of the government is sound which is why it has always been open for substantive discussions with the farmer unions in the last few years.
“Diversification” holds the key, and it is time for both the farmer’s unions and government to work in tandem for initiating pathbreaking reforms to help empower the farmers in the real sense. One expected the farmer’s agitation to come to a peaceful end when the government rolled back its three contentious farm laws.
The timing of the present protests makes one wary especially since it has begun when general elections are round the corner. Though the farmer’s union gave the impression that it wanted serious dialogue and discussion with the government, the reality is far different. Seasoned political experts believe that the agitators have come with a pre-conceived notion and objective as a result of which they are in no mood to relent, but confront the government endlessly.
A solution is arrived at, when both parties have a forward looking and flexible mindset. Viewing the present state of affairs and the situation on ground zero, a solution seems nowhere in sight as of now.
As any other peace loving patriot, I just pray that the confrontation should not spiral out of control. Peace and well being is of paramount importance, and it cannot be compromised at any cost. More important, the nation’s “glorious” image should always remain intact.
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