How Was The Bill Passed In The Parliament?
The bill was passed in September. The bill was passed by voice vote, but the opposition insisted on a division vote. In the constitution, it is written that if a member of parliament asks for a division vote, in any circumstances need to listen. But Harivansh ji overruled the request for division vote, instead, he said that the division vote is only possible when all the members of parliament would go back to their seats. In short, the Farmer Bills was passed undemocratically. Also, then eight opposition MPs were suspended for misbehaviour and these opposition MPs sat down at Gandhi Statue in parliament house for protests.
Are These Farm Bills Beneficial? And If Yes, For Whom?
The Farmers Bill was tabled by Narendra Tomar ji (Union Minister for Agriculture). According to him, these bills will change the state of farmers and it is a masterstroke.
The government approved three ordinances related to agriculture. According to these ordinances, it would give farmers freedom of choice, they could sell their produce wherever they wish to. These ordinances state that the areas outside the APMCs will have no taxes on sale or purchase. According to farmers, it will be a disadvantage to them as in APMCs mandis everything is regulated, transactions are taken into account, there is a minimum support price. But outside the mandis MSP did exist, with no one to regulate and to ensure that the farmers are treated fairly.
By these ordinances, the big company would establish the agriculture sector of India. Farmers will be easily exploited and will not get adequate money for their hard work and labour. In short, these ordinances are bad and will not improve the state of farmers. As a result of this farmers of Haryana, Punjab, Madya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan.
What Is Currently Happening In India?
On November 26, farmers announced an indefinite strike, with the slogan “Dilli Chalo”. The government tried their utmost to stop the protests by setting up barricades, by making use of water cannons and tear gas and in place, they dug up the highway to stop farmers. In many places in Haryana, Section 144 was imposed, bus services were suspended, more than 100 farm union members were arrested, more than 500 farmers were arrested in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. Eventually, farmers reached Delhi and carried their protest.
Also, the media is addressing these farmers as Khalistani, congress has funded them and they are anti-national.
My Take On The Situation
As per my opinion, freedom of speech is over in India. I think Modi might just lead India to dictatorship. Also, before 2014, in any of the protests that took place, the media of the country questioned the government, but now the media asks the protesters why they are protesting.
The government should withdraw the bills as 70% of India’s population is dependent on agriculture. If the government didn’t do this then, India’s ec0nomy will shrink and one law will affect the entire country. As I specified earlier, every decision made by Modi is very quick and termed as a masterstroke. The government should improve the mandi system as there are some flaws in that.
If the bills are not withdrawn, the farmers will do a non-violent protest and by this, the reputation of Sikhs will be harmed. There can be a situation like Operation Blue Star.
As this was a massive protest. The government did a meeting to make an amendment to the law. On 27 November, the Delhi police asked for permission from the Delhi government to convert 9 stadiums into temporary jails where the protestors and farmers could place. On 7th December Kejriwal with his ministers went for supporting the farmers and on 8th December he was arrested, it was a home arrest. Also, on independence day on Red Fort Neshan Shahib was hoisted and India’s flag was not removed. There were some chaos and violence in Central Delhi as farmers took another route for their rally.