Synopsis
Farmers’ protest had been ongoing for more than ten days in Delhi at this point. There were more than five talks between the government and farmers. The farmers stated that they would make the protest bigger if the government does not listen to them.
On 8th December, many farmers leaders met Amit Shah for essential talks. The home minister told the government is ready to amend the farm laws, and the proposal was made of 20 pages. Till now, approximately 11 talks are done; and the government is not ready to withdraw the law. There were several attempts to suppress their voices. Due to this agitation, farmers took out a rally on 26th January.
Proposal
There was no option to approach the civil court in the new law in any case of a dispute. They need to solve at the STM level only. So, in the proposal government said they would bring an amendment, the option will be available.
There was an issue that the APMC mandi system will be abolished as outside the mandi; there are no taxes. So, to resolve this problem, the government stated that they would bring an amendment, and the state government will have an option to charge taxes on private mandies.
There was an issue that the farmers were scared of as the possibilities of cheating will increase because the new law stated anyone could buy crops with a PAN card. To solve this problem, the government stated they would bring an amendment in which the state will have the power to register the trader.
There was another issue that farmers were scared that the MSP system will be abolished because in APMC mandies, MSP is required, and outside it, there is no MSP. The government stated that they are ready to give written assurance for continuing MSP. But the farmers rejected the proposal.
Reasons For Rejecting The Proposal
The farmers stated that if the government talked to them before these laws were passed, they might have agreed, but now they only wish for the government to withdraw the laws rather than make amendments. Otherwise, they need to face the consequences, and they will make the protest bigger.
People Supporting The Protest
Agricultural scientist Dr Varindra Pal refused to take his award from Union Minister as a form of protest. Also, Aana Hazare started supporting the protests and gave a threat to the government that if they do not fulfil farmers’ demands, he will declare a Jan Andolan.
Opinions
As per my opinion, the government should listen to the farmers and fulfil their demands, as 70% of India’s population is dependent on farming. Due to these new laws, they will not get the product of their labour and hardwork. It somehow affects the economy of India. The media should support the protest rather than suppressing it.
The farmers stated that on 14th December, they would do a massive protest in the whole country. On 12th December, they said they would block Delhi, Jaipur highway, but they failed to do that. But the farmers are still very determined. Also, they have started criticising big companies like Adani and Ambani, and they began to boycott Jio and Reliance products.