Kisan Andolan
Introduction of Kisan Andolan
Kisan Andolan 2.0: Farmers’ resilience and determination shine in the heart of India’s agricultural landscape. Let’s explore this movement, its causes, and its effects.
Thousands of farmers marched towards the national capital on February 13 to press for their objectives, including the Minimum Support Price (MSP). But as the Punjabi farmers made their way to Delhi, the Haryana Police stopped them at the Punjab-Haryana border and attacked the peasant marchers with water cannons and tear gas.
Following the failure of discussions with government officials on February 12, groups such as the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM) organized the Dilli Chalo march, also called the Farmers’ Protest 2.0. Disappointed with the farmers’ conduct, the Union administration enforced Section 144 and surrounded the capital with barbed wire, concrete blocks, and shipping containers.
The incident resonates with the farmers’ protest against proposed agricultural reforms in 2020–21, where despite facing adversities such as inclement weather and the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, farmers managed to garner widespread support across the nation. The farmers’ perseverance eventually led to the Central government repealing the legislation following blockades and acts of violence. The demonstration appears to present a challenge to the BJP government before the general election. In light of this, Frontline offers a carefully chosen collection of articles that examine the 2020–21 protest in its totality as well as the reactions of the authorities.
Fueled by the unwavering determination of farmers, the Kisan Andolan 2.0 is led by the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM). However, notable figures who played pivotal roles in the previous farmers’ protests have distanced themselves from the current agitation. Distinguished figures who were absent from the current call but were a member of the previous movement include:
- Yogender Yadav
- Joginder Singh Ugrahan
- Rakesh Tikait
- Gurnam Singh Chaduni
- Balbir Singh Rajewal
- Manjit Rai
- Darshan Pal
- Shiv Kumar Kakka
- VM Singh
Sources & Background
Kisan Andolan 2.0, commonly referred to as the Farmers’ Protest, arose as a reaction to the controversial Farm Bills enacted by the Indian government in September 2020. Despite the bills’ purported aim to liberalize agricultural markets, farmers expressed deep apprehensions about their implications. The three key bills were:
- The Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Bill: This legislation permitted farmers to sell their goods directly to consumers rather than through the conventional Agricultural Produce Market Committees (APMCs). Farmers were concerned, though, that it would erode the current safety nets that APMCs provide by kisan andolan.
- The Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Bill: This legislation made it easier for farmers and commercial companies to enter into contract farming arrangements. Although the goal was to increase farmers’ income, questions were raised over the disparity in negotiating strength between huge enterprises and small-scale farms.
- The Essential Commodities (Amendment) Bill: This bill allowed for unlimited private stockholding by removing some commodities (including cereals, pulses, and oilseeds) from the list of essential commodities. Farmers were concerned that this could lead to hoarding and price manipulation.
Since February 13th, a number of Indian farm unions have gone on strike in protest of what they regard as the minimum support price, or floor price, for their crops. The demonstrators, who are from the nearby states of Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh, have been making an attempt to march to Delhi, the capital of India.
Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha are organizing a march to force the Centre to adopt their demands, which include the enactment of a law guaranteeing a minimum support price (MSP) for crops. This is the reason behind the protests by farmers.
Key Demands and Protests
India’s farmers, mostly from Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh, organized to express their disapproval. They called for legal guarantees for minimum support prices (MSPs) and the removal of the contentious agriculture laws. As their protests gained traction, large crowds gathered at the famous Singhu, Tikri, and Ghazipur borders, which are all located in Delhi.
Amidst challenging weather conditions and formidable police barricades, farmers from diverse backgrounds exhibited remarkable unity during the movement. Their resilience was evident in the makeshift tents, communal kitchens, and fervent chants that echoed through the air, underscoring the steadfastness of the kisan andolan.
Spearheaded by the Samyukta Kisan Morcha, a non-political coalition comprising 150 unions, and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha, the Kisan Andolan 2.0 movement is driven by the collective efforts of 250 farmers’ unions. Together, they are championing the cause and amplifying the voices of farmers across the nation.
These stubborn farmers have made several important requests:
MSP Definition: The minimum price that the government sets for particular agricultural products is known as the MSP. The government directly buys these products from farmers at the MSP if open market prices are less than the costs they incur. Farmers want legislation that guarantees a reasonable and equitable price for every crop.
They support basing crop prices on the Dr. M. S. Swaminathan Commission’s recommendations.
The Indian government founded the M.S. Swaminathan Commission, also referred to as the National Commission on Farmers (NCF), in November 2004. The famous agricultural scientist Professor M.S. Swaminathan, who is sometimes referred to as the “father of India’s Green Revolution,” served as its chair.
- Complete Debt Waiver:
Debt is a hardship for laborers and farmers. They request a complete debt waiver to get out of their current financial bind.
- The 2013 Land Acquisition Act’s implementation:
The farmers are steadfast in their demand for the government to adhere to the Land Acquisition Act’s provisions, particularly the requirement for obtaining their explicit consent before acquiring any land. Moreover, they insist that the compensation rate should be set at four times the market value, as stipulated by the Act.
Beginning on January 1, 2014, the Land Acquisition Act, 2013, also referred to as the Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation, and Resettlement Act (LARR), went into force. This landmark legislation superseded the Land Acquisition Act of 1894, which had long governed land acquisition practices in India.
The main feature of the 2013 Land Acquisition Act:
Goal and Context: The Act aims to balance the rights and welfare of landowners with the demands of development, including industrialization, urbanization, and infrastructural projects.
The new law places significant emphasis on ensuring fair compensation, transparency, and rehabilitation for individuals affected by land acquisition.
- Justice for the Lakhimpur Kheri Killings:
The terrible events that took place on October 3, 2021, at Lakhimpur Kheri, an Uttar Pradesh district rich in sugarcane, left wounds that still hurt. This is a story about what happened and how justice is still being sought:
The incident: In Tikonia, Lakhimpur Kheri, on that terrible day, four protesting farmers and a journalist were killed. Those responsible for the murders committed in October 2021 must be held accountable and brought before the courts to face justice.
- World Trade Organization (WTO) withdrawal: The farmers demand that all free trade agreements be suspended and that India be removed from the WTO.
- Pensions for Farm Laborers and Farmers: Those who labor on the land should be given a steady salary, and farmers who are over 60 should be enrolled in a pension plan for Rs 10,000.
- Compensation for Farmers Who Died: Farmers who died during the protests in Delhi should have their families compensated. One family member should also be given employment.
- Electricity Amendment Measure 2020 Should Be Scrapped: Farmers are against this measure and want it repealed. The bill was abandoned due to farmers’ lack of confidence in state governments to promptly provide subsidies and their apprehension about the escalating privatization of electricity.
- Enhanced Employment under MGNREGA: Under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), they are demanding 200 days of employment annually (instead of 100). The program should be connected to farming, and the daily compensation should be Rs 700.
- Quality Control and Fines for Counterfeit Seeds and Pesticides: Businesses that produce fake seeds, fertilizers, and pesticides should face severe fines. Enhancements in the quality of seeds are necessary.
- The National Commission on Spices, Including Turmeric and Chili: The farmers support the creation of a special commission to deal with matters about spice crops.
Obstacles and Achievements:
Problems for the Kisan Andolan 2.0 included internet outages and water cannons. Nevertheless, the farmers continued, planning nonviolent marches, tractor rallies, and hunger strikes. Their voices echoed far and wide, resonating even louder through the amplifying power of social media platforms. Hashtags such as #FarmersProtest gained widespread popularity, serving as digital rallying cries that united supporters from every corner of the globe.
Celebrities, activists, and expatriate communities all lent their support to the initiative, which attracted attention from around the world. In a show of global solidarity, demonstrations were organized in cities worldwide to underscore the international importance of this grassroots movement.
The Path Ahead:
The farmers are still adamant as they carry on with their movement. There has been continuous communication between farmer unions and the government, but a solution is still elusive.”
“In this digital age where information moves faster than tractors, the voices of farmers resound across screens. They remind us that beneath the ground lies a narrative of resilience, solidarity, and optimism.
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