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The Farmer’s Protests in India: explained

Sanjana Idnani

Content warning: this piece discusses police brutality

Following growing contention between farmers and the Indian government in Delhi, pop superstar, Rihanna, posted a tweet condemning the internet blockades being enforced at protest sites. The tweet drew attention to the concerning suppression tactics being used to control the protesters in India, and backlash to the tweet has raised conflicting debates about preserving India’s free democracy.

In light of these protests being spotlighted on the global stage, I investigated what the protests have been about and how they have developed.

What are the protests about?

The Farmers Protests in India has become one of the biggest social movements in the world. Farmers have taken to the streets to protest three contentious bills, passed in September 2020, that will result in looser regulations around sale, pricing, and storage of farm produce, thereby removing key protections for farmers.

Another significant change is that farmers will be allowed to sell their produce directly to private firms at a market price. Farmers are concerned that the shift in power towards private markets will eventually lead to the end of wholesale markets and assured prices, leaving them stranded without a back-up option.

At present, farmers sell the majority of their produce at government-controlled wholesale markets or mandis at assured floor prices. These markets are run by committees which are made up of farmers and traders who act as middlemen for negotiating sales, organising storage and transport, or even financing deals.

The reforms, according to the government, give farmers the opportunity to sell outside of the mandi system, but the government has said that the mandi system will continue and the Minimum Support Price (MSP) will continue. Farmers, however, are not convinced by this. Multan Singh Rana, a Punjabi farmer, explained to BBC Punjabi: “First, farmers will feel attracted towards these private players, who will offer a better price for the produce. The government mandis will pack up meanwhile and after a few years, these players will start exploiting the farmers. That’s what we fear.”

Furthermore, agricultural policy expert, Devendra Sharma, explained to the BBC that “Leaving farmers to the tyranny of the markets would be akin to putting the sheep before the wolf.”

He goes on to say: “There are leakages in the current system, and it needs to be reformed but replacing one failed model with another is not the solution.”

“Despite the extensive debate surrounding agricultural reforms, two of the bills were dubiously passed under rushed circumstances.”

The varying views surrounding reform of the agricultural industry is partly why the passing of the bills garnered so much political attention. Despite the extensive debate surrounding agricultural reforms, two of the bills were dubiously passed under rushed circumstances.

According to reports by the BBC, The governing party, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) refused to extend debate over the bill to the next day or to refer it to a special committee where it could be scrutinised further despite calls from the opposition.

Consequently, pandemonium and protest rose from the opposition but the Deputy Chairman, who is also a BJP MP, still proceeded with the vote but due to the chaos, he conducted a voice vote rather than a physical ballot vote.

According to opposition MPs, the voice vote was unclear and raised questions about the democratic legitimacy of the vote on the two bills, adding to the controversy surrounding them.

What has the government response to the protests been like?

Peaceful protesters have faced tear gas, water cannons, and police brutality. Food and water have also been regularly cut off where protesters have been camped.

Despite facing freezing winter temperatures, clashes with the police, and internet shutdowns, farmers have persisted in their cause and have asserted that they will not leave until the bills are repealed.

A stark example of these human rights violations taking place was in November when thousands of farmers faced rounds of tear gas and water cannons fired by police in Haryana. Authorities were aiming to halt the Dilli Challo (Go to Delhi) march.

On January 26th, India’s Republic Day, further violence brought these protests into the spotlight. The protest was designed to be large but peaceful and was aimed at disrupting the Republic Day celebrations in order to get their voices heard.

“The internet shutdown that followed, supposedly in the name of public safety, highlighted the Government’s stifling approach to dissent.”

Police had given permission for the rally to go ahead on certain routes but after protesters diverged from these agreed routes, things took a turn for the worse. Protesters stormed The Red Fort and Delhi police responded with violence. Tear gas and batons were used against protesters in an attempt to push them back and at least one protester died.

Following this devastating protest, police and Farmer’s Union leaders issued appeals for peace, with Union leaders condemning and distancing themselves from the violence. On January 30th, the anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi’s death, farmers began a day-long hunger strike to reaffirm the peaceful nature of the protests and to continue to promote their message.

The Indian Government responded with an internet shutdown, allegedly in the name of public safety, though many believe it highlights the Government’s stifling approach to dissent.

What concerns are now arising surrounding free speech?

Soon after Rihanna’s tweet, strong pushback from the Indian government and establishment began on the social media platform.

It was led by Home Minister, Amit Shah, who tweeted: “No propaganda can deter India’s unity! No propaganda can stop India to attain new heights! Propaganda cannot decide India’s fate… only ‘Progress’ can. India stands united and together to achieve progress,” alongside the hashtags #IndiaAgainstPropaganda and #IndiaTogether.

Pro-government news channels and Bollywood actors amplified the establishment voice and misogynistic trolls also joined the virulent backlash against the singer.

Greta Thunberg, who added her voice by sharing a google doc with information about how to help the farmers, also faced significant attacks from the BJP. Figures from the party began tweeting the hashtag #GretaThunbergExposed and condemned her intervention.

“The strong and swift reaction by authorities and establishment figures suggests the Indian establishment is hoping to keep a lid on international criticism.”

Following the tweets by Rihanna and Thunberg, as well as other celebrities who have commented on the situation, police in Delhi said they were investigating whether there was an international campaign to damage India’s reputation.

The strong and swift reaction by authorities and establishment figures suggests the Indian establishment is hoping to keep a lid on international criticism.

As well as attempts to quell the voices of these popular figures, India’s Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology has served blocking orders requesting Twitter to suspend a portion of Indian accounts prompting further threats to free speech and political freedom. Journalists covering the events have also been arrested.

Mobile internet curbs also remain in place at key protest sites. In response to the internet curbs, a US embassy spokesperson said the US recognised that “unhindered access to information, including the internet, is fundamental to the freedom of expression and a hallmark of a thriving democracy.”

However, India’s government argues that they’ve taken these actions to prevent more violence. Whether the situation can be resolved and trust in the Indian government can be restored in the near future is looking increasingly uncertain.

Sanjana Idnani

Featured image courtesy of N A V  via Unsplash. Image license found here. No changes were made to this image.

Sanjana is an English literature student at the University of Bristol and an aspiring journalist. She is particularly interested in writing about the arts, climate change, and inclusivity!

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