For the people, By the people

Last year saw one of the longest drawn tussles between the people of India and their government. The three controversial farm bills stirred up a protest that lasted for a year, come hell or high water. The farmer’s of India took an uncompromising united stand when they felt that their livelihood was in danger.

Thousands of farmers protesting at Delhi's border

In a speech to the country on Guru Nanak Jayanti, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated that the government would repeal three farm laws approved last year. This decision came after a year of protests and highway blockades along the Delhi borders.

The three farm bills namely passed in parliament last year despite strong opposition. The session in which the bill was to be passed ultimately had to be adjourned because of the increasing chaos inside the parliament.

As the bill was being passed, Akali Shiromani Dal, an ally of BJP in Punjab, anticipating backlash and protest, broke their alliance, and Harsimrat Kaur of Akali Shiromani Dal, the Food and Agriculture Minister in the Union, resigned from her post.

Soon enough, protests against the farm laws started all over India. Punjab and Haryana became the epicentre of these protests. Farmers from Punjab and Harayana began marching towards Delhi, giving the call of "Delhi Chalo." The state police deployed water cannon and tear gas to disperse the demonstrators when they approached Haryana. The Khattar government halted the farmer's march near Haryana's border, prompting reactions in the media from Punjab Chief Minister Capt. Amarinder Singh.

As the number of farmers at Haryana’s border began to swell, it pressured the state government. They also had to face criticism for halting a democratic protest in its tracks. The consequent pressure resulted in the Haryana government lifting the barricade and allowing the protestors to march to Delhi.

Soon the capital’s border began to be swarmed by protesting farmers. They declared an indefinite strike at the Tikri border in North Delhi, and the movement quickly extended to the capital's other borders. The city of Delhi won all sides by a mass of protesting farmers, which had a significant impact on interstate transportation. Delhi police had to install concrete barricades at all of the city's boundaries to keep the protests at bay.

At the same time, the Supreme Court of India saw numerous petitions calling for the repeal of the three farm bills. The Supreme Court considered forming an unbiased and independent expert panel to break the impasse.

Because the right to protest does not entail a city-wide blockade, the Supreme Court declared that the farmers' right to protest should not interfere with the fundamental rights of others to move freely and get essential food and supplies. As a result, the Centre was urged to halt the implementation of agricultural legislation.

The government and farmer's leaders met for many discussions but could not reach a point of conciliation. Farmers were adamant about repealing agricultural restrictions, but the government refused to bend.

As the protest continued, the farmers announced they’d do a tractor rally and enter Delhi on 26th January, i.e. Republic Day. This raised alarms, and the security across the city of Delhi was increased. However, all hell broke loose when the protest turned violent at the end of the day. A group of protestors entered the Red Fort and vandalised its premises, much to the dread of a nation watching. Delhi police had to use forceful means like lathi charge and tear gas to disperse the out of control crowd. The rally was called off as soon as the farmer’s leaders announced that certain outsider elements joined in the crowd and turned the protest violent.

The cost of this year-long protest had to be paid by both the state and the people. The state suffered substantial revenue loss because of the road blockades and property damage. The demonstration also garnered international attention and raised questions on the BJP government. On the other hand, farmers paid with their lives as several farmers committed suicide or succumbed to harsh conditions or disease as they protested in the ruthless winters, record rainfall, pollution, relentless heat amid the deadly second wave of Covid-19 in India.

The most heinous act of violence occurred at Lakhimpur Kheri in  Uttar Pradesh, when a vehicle ploughed over a group of protesting farmers. The car was said to have the son of Union Minister Ajay Mishra in it.

Massive discontent erupted in Uttar Pradesh following the tragedy, with significant personalities such as Priyanka Gandhi, Akhilesh Yadav, and Chandrashekhar Azad being prohibited from visiting the site in subsequent protests. Union Minister Ajay Mishra's son has been detained and probed for his involvement in the violence.

After a year of agitation, India's BJP-led government ultimately gave up and agreed to the farmers' demand to repeal three unpopular agriculture legislation on November 19, 2021.