By Saurav Yadav
Published on: February 15, 2024 at 09:20 IST
On February 13, thousands of farmers from Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh gathered in the Delhi-NCR region to participate in the ‘Delhi Chalo 2.0’ protest. The primary demand of the farmers is for a legal guarantee ensuring Minimum Support Prices (MSP) for their agricultural produce. MSP is the price at which the government promises to buy crops from farmers, providing them with a safety net against market fluctuations.
This protest is a continuation of the movement that began two years ago, highlighting the persistent grievances of farmers regarding agricultural policies and economic support. Despite assurances from the government, farmers remain concerned about the uncertainty surrounding MSP and fear potential exploitation by private corporations in the absence of legal safeguards. As the farmers attempted to march towards Delhi, they encountered heavy resistance from law enforcement agencies. Police barricades and stringent security measures were deployed to prevent their entry into the capital.
However, the farmers remained determined and continued their march, resulting in confrontations with the police. Tensions escalated as the police resorted to using tear gas to disperse the protesting farmers. Scenes of chaos and unrest unfolded at key border points, such as the Shambhu border between Punjab and Haryana, where clashes between farmers and security forces occurred. The government’s response to the protest reflects its efforts to avoid a recurrence of the prolonged demonstrations witnessed in 2020-21.
By fortifying entry points into Delhi and intensifying security measures, the authorities aimed to maintain law and order and prevent disruptions to daily life in the city. However, the persistence of the farmers and their determination to have their voices heard underscore the deep-rooted issues within India’s agricultural sector. The protests serve as a reminder of the importance of addressing the concerns of farmers and implementing policies that prioritize their welfare and livelihoods.
In this article we are going to discuss about the reason behind why farmers had started the protest again after 2 years: Delhi protest 2.0.
What was 2020 protest about?
The 2020 protests centered around three new agricultural laws proposed by the Indian government. These laws aimed to change how farmers could sell their crops. Traditionally, there were rules in place that protected farmers by guaranteeing them a minimum price for their produce and regulating who they could sell to and how. However, these new laws would loosen those rules, allowing farmers more freedom to sell directly to buyers and negotiate prices.
Many farmers were concerned that these changes would leave them vulnerable to exploitation by big corporations. They worried that without the protection of minimum prices and regulations, they might not get fair prices for their crops, and their livelihoods could be at risk.
Despite the government’s assurances that the new laws would benefit farmers by giving them more options and better prices, the protests continued to grow. Farmers from across India, particularly from states like Punjab and Haryana, where agriculture is a major industry, joined the protests.
After months of protests and negotiations, in November 2021, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that the government would repeal the controversial laws. This decision was seen as a significant victory for the farmers and a demonstration of the power of mass protests to influence government policy.
However, even after the announcement, the farmers did not immediately end their protests. They remained at the protest sites until the government formally accepted their other demands, which included assurances about the continuation of minimum support prices and other agricultural reforms. Additionally, the government agreed to provide compensation to the families of farmers who had died during the protests.
Overall, the 2020 protests highlighted the concerns of farmers about the impact of agricultural reforms on their livelihoods and demonstrated their determination to protect their interests through collective action.
How are the demand different this time?
The demands of the farmers in the current protest, termed “Delhi Chalo 2.0,” are different from the protests in 2020 in several ways.
- Focus on MSP: One of the key demands of the farmers this time is a legal guarantee for Minimum Support Price (MSP) for all crops. MSP is the price at which the government promises to buy crops from farmers, providing them with a safety net against market fluctuations. Additionally, they are advocating for the implementation of the Swaminathan Commission’s for determining MSP. The Swaminathan Commission recommended MSP to be at least 50% more than the weighted average cost of production, which farmers believe would ensure fair returns for their produce.
- Full debt waiver: Another significant demand is the full waiver of agricultural debts for farmers. Many farmers in India face heavy debt burdens due to various reasons, including crop failures, low prices, and lack of access to credit. A debt waiver would provide relief to struggling farmers and improve their financial situation.
- Pension for farmers and laborers: The farmers are also calling for the establishment of a pension scheme for both farmers and agricultural laborers. This demand reflects concerns about the lack of social security measures for those engaged in agriculture, who often face financial insecurity, particularly in old age.
- Withdrawal of cases against protestors: Additionally, the farmers are seeking the withdrawal of cases filed against protestors during the 2020-21 demonstrations. This demand highlights the ongoing grievances of farmers regarding the treatment of protestors by law enforcement agencies and a desire for accountability and justice.
Who are leading the march this time?
The leadership of the Delhi Chalo march this time is primarily led by the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha, which have come together to organize the protest. These unions are different from the ones that led the protests in 2020-21.
One notable absence from the current protest is Rakesh Tikait and Gurnam Singh Charuni, who were prominent leaders during the 2020 protests. Instead, the leadership of the current protest is represented by Jagjit Singh Dallewal, who is the leader of the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (non-political), and Sarwan Singh Pandher, who serves as the general secretary of another faction within the movement.
The involvement of these leaders reflects a shift in leadership dynamics within the farmers’ movement. Factionalism within organizations like the Bhartiya Kisan Union and Samyukt Kisan Morcha has also been evident, highlighting the complexities within the movement and the diversity of perspectives among participating unions and leaders.
Despite the absence of some key figures from the previous protests, the current leadership is actively mobilizing farmers and coordinating the Delhi Chalo march to advocate for their demands, including legal guarantees for Minimum Support Price (MSP), debt waivers, pension schemes, and the withdrawal of cases against protestors. Their leadership will play a crucial role in shaping the course and outcomes of the ongoing protest and in representing the interests of the farming community to the government and the public.
What is MSP?
Minimum Support Price (MSP) is a crucial agricultural policy tool implemented by the government of India to ensure price stability and income security for farmers. It serves as a minimum price guarantee for certain crops, providing a safety net or insurance for farmers when they sell their produce.
The MSP is set by the government based on recommendations from the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP). The CACP considers various factors such as input costs, market prices, demand-supply dynamics, and the overall economic situation while recommending MSP for different crops. The objective is to ensure that farmers receive remunerative prices for their produce, covering their production costs and providing them with a reasonable profit margin.
Once the MSP is announced for a particular crop, government agencies, such as the Food Corporation of India (FCI) and state agencies, are responsible for procuring the produce from farmers at the promised price. This procurement process typically occurs during the harvest season and is aimed at supporting farmers by providing them with a reliable market and income source.
The MSP serves as a crucial risk management tool for farmers, especially in situations where market prices fall below the cost of production or during periods of price volatility. By guaranteeing a minimum price for their crops, MSP helps farmers mitigate the financial risks associated with agriculture and ensures a certain level of income stability.
Wheat and rice are among the primary crops procured by the government at MSP, but the MSP is applicable to a total of 22-23 crops, including cereals, pulses, oilseeds, and cotton. These crops are chosen based on their significance in the agricultural economy and their importance for ensuring food security and rural livelihoods.
MSP plays a vital role in supporting farmers’ income, promoting agricultural production, and ensuring food security for the nation. It represents a critical policy intervention aimed at addressing the challenges faced by farmers and fostering sustainable agricultural development in India.
What are the farmers demanding now?
The current demands of the farmers participating in the Delhi Chalo 2.0 protest encompass a range of economic, social, and policy-related issues affecting the agricultural sector and rural communities in India that are as following:
- Fulfillment of Promises: The farmers allege that the government has not upheld its promises made during the 2020-21 protest. These promises likely include commitments related to the repeal of the controversial farm laws and addressing other grievances raised by the farmers. The perceived lack of progress on these promises has fueled discontent among farmers and led to renewed protests.
- Pensions: Farmers are demanding the establishment of a pension scheme for both farmers and agricultural laborers. This demand reflects concerns about the lack of social security measures for those engaged in agriculture, who often face financial insecurity, particularly in old age. A pension scheme would provide a safety net and ensure a decent standard of living for farmers after retirement.
- Debt Waiver: Another significant demand is the full waiver of agricultural debts for farmers. Many farmers in India struggle with debt due to various reasons, including crop failures, low prices, and lack of access to credit. A debt waiver would provide relief to struggling farmers and improve their financial situation, allowing them to invest in their farms and livelihoods without the burden of debt.
- Regulation of Agrochemicals: Farmers are calling for stricter regulations and penalties for those who sell fake seeds, pesticides, and fertilizers. The proliferation of counterfeit agricultural inputs can lead to crop failures, financial losses, and environmental damage. Strengthening regulatory mechanisms and enforcing penalties for offenders would help protect farmers’ interests and promote sustainable agriculture.
- Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme: The protesters are demanding an increase in the number of work days under the rural employment guarantee scheme (MGNREGS) from the current 100 days to 200 days per year. MGNREGS aims to provide livelihood security to rural households by guaranteeing wage employment opportunities. Doubling the number of work days would enhance income support for rural households and contribute to poverty alleviation and rural development.
- Withdrawal from WTO and Free Trade Agreements: Farmers are advocating for India to withdraw from the World Trade Organization (WTO) and scrap all free trade agreements (FTAs). They argue that international trade agreements often prioritize the interests of multinational corporations over the welfare of small-scale farmers, leading to unfair competition, market distortions, and loss of livelihoods. Withdrawal from WTO and FTAs would allow India to pursue trade policies that prioritize the interests of domestic farmers and ensure food security and sovereignty.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the ongoing farmers’ protest, known as Delhi Chalo 2.0, reflects the deep-seated grievances and challenges facing the agricultural sector and rural communities in India. The demands put forth by the protesting farmers encompass a wide range of issues, including economic security, social welfare, agricultural policy, and trade agreements. From the demand for a legal guarantee for Minimum Support Price (MSP) and debt waivers to calls for pension schemes and stricter regulations on agrochemicals, the protesters are advocating for comprehensive reforms to address the systemic issues affecting farmers’ livelihoods.
Moreover, the protest underscores the resilience and determination of farmers to safeguard their interests and assert their rights in the face of perceived government indifference and policy neglect. The protest leaders, representing various farmer unions and organizations, are leading a unified effort to amplify the voices of farmers and mobilize support for their demands.
At its core, the farmers’ protest reflects broader concerns about social justice, economic inequality, and democratic participation in policymaking. It serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of listening to and addressing the concerns of marginalized communities, particularly those engaged in vital sectors such as agriculture.
Ultimately, the resolution of the farmers’ demands requires meaningful dialogue, constructive engagement, and genuine efforts to address the root causes of agrarian distress. By acknowledging and responding to the legitimate grievances of farmers, the government and policymakers can work towards building a more equitable, sustainable, and inclusive agricultural sector that ensures the well-being and prosperity of all stakeholders.