A personal evaluation by Dr Jagroop Singh, a student of Sikh Studies without funding or conflict of interest

20 November 2021

Prime Minister Modi has made a surprise announcement to withdraw the 3 contentious farm laws in the coming winter session of the parliament. In a ‘smooth’ public address to the nation expressing his empathy towards the plight small farmers. Whilst the change of tone and tact on Guru Nanak’s birth anniversary celebrations is welcomed, it really ‘smells’ of political gamesmanship. The Prime Minister goes on to claim that like Guru Gobind Singh, he was guided the Devi; “O mother goddess give me the strength never to fear in doing the right thing.” In thrusting Hindutva’s interpretation of ‘De heh Siva bur mohe hi heh’ which is at odds with Sikh thought, his offence has no bounds. He went on to say that, “I did all this for the benefit of farmers and will continue to work on the same.” This amazing announcement is not going to ‘wash’ with the farmers or the general public? 

This unilateral announcement happened at a time when farmer’s leadership on the ‘back foot’ and at the mercy of the government. Fatigue appeared to have set in following a prolonged ‘battle’ and possible disagreements as result of governmental agency interference? The days of Rihanna and Greta Thumberg drawing international attention to this protest were all but a distant memory. Despite the National Farmers Union of England showing some initial support, the farmer’s protest was increasingly seen as an internal matter. 

There has been overriding suspicion at this development although some guarded and positive commentary too. Joginder Singh Ugrahan, the leader of Bharatiyan Kisan Union said that, “it is a good move by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the occasion of the Gurpurb”. The West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, congratulated farmers for their relentless fight against three farm laws and said they were not fazed by the “cruelty” of the BJP. For most people the central government’s move is a “very late one” in coming. A year long ‘battle of wills’ on the outskirts of Delhi hasn’t been without incident or acrimony. The vehicle-ramming incident involving a Minister’s son in Lakhimpur Kheri is still fresh in people’s minds causing palpable anger.

The sweet overtures by PM Modi will not alter the farmer’s stance as they are planning to continue the protest until the matter is completed to their satisfaction. The maintenance of the Minimum Support Price (MSP) as social buffer not part of the announcement is essential. This lack of trust and prevailing suspicion regarding government’s motives begs many questions: –

1. The Bhartyia Janata Party (BJP) has been struggling as result of losses faced by the BJP in the recent bye-polls and this move is seen a necessity in the forthcoming elections
2. PM Modi addressed primarily the Sikh farmers on the occasion of a Gurpurb without acknowledging the India wide farming community. Yet, he took full advantage of misrepresenting the Sikh ethos under the Hindutva interpretative framework
3. It is not long ago that the farmers were referred to as Khalistanis and Perjeev (Dung beetles). In addition to insults and assaults, the farmers have lost upward of 700 deaths in the process. PM now has the audacity to say, he understand their perspective? 
4. To lure the farmers into a false sense of security into future negotiations with a likely intention of reframing the same laws slightly differently 

How have got here?

In the September of 2020 the Government of India ‘passed’ 3 Farm Laws through an Emergency Ordinance, despite opposition of state governments, many MPs, farmer’s representatives and trade unions. Naturally, this provoked a massive reaction amongst the farming communities in the form of strikes and protests. The economy of the Panjab is largely based on agriculture and is inextricably linked to those of a Sikh background. Then it was inevitable that Sikhs were going to be at the forefront of any strike/protest movement, gathering at the Panjab-Haryana boarder. As time went on, these protests were replicated in other states resulting in a Pan Indian, people’s movement.

The protest included a wide range of unions and activists representing both its strength and weakness. On 26 November 2020 a call went out from the younger and vociferous participants to “Dilli Chalo” (Let’s go to Delhi). Despite many obstacles in the form of barriers and police blockades this mass movement ended up on the doorsteps of Delhi causing intense irritation for the authorities. Practical issues of food, shelter and washroom facilities needed to be established very quickly with a mixture of farmer’s ingenuity and external resourcing. It was this external resourcing that attracted a severe ‘backlash’ from the government and the associated, Godi media labeling the protestors as Khalistanis. Sikh Gurdwaras providing Langar (free food as Guru Nanak’s legacy) is a normal function, which irked the authorities. The government and the partisan media continued their prejudicial and unjust commentary against all farmers but the Sikhs in particular?

Farming is not a particularly attractive proposition but more of a traditional vocation and a way of life, enabling a dignified existence. The main issue therefore, revolved around the corporate takeover of around 70% of farmers having small parcels of land. On 12 January 2020, the Supreme Court of India sided with the farmers by suspended the 3 laws. They also suggested formation of a joint committee with the government to find an acceptable solution. 

The COP 26 conference in Glasgow represented a missed opportunity that could have highlighted the plight of Indian farmers. The logical development for eco-sustainability in farming practices had ramifications across international boarders in improving socio-economics of the populations at a regional level. The corporate farming model for profit would invariably exploit the farm workers, agricultural land with cash crops and industrial scale animal farming causing ‘pollution’ and inevitable climatic issues. Unfortunately, Panjab’s Green revolution solved some problems and generated new ones. The lure of short-term gains blinkered the critical foresight of the resultant and negative consequences.

The farmers can be proud of maintaining a peaceful protest despite some deliberately conspired incidents. The fiasco of 26 January ‘Red Fort flag’ incident and the tragic death of Navreet Singh, allegedly caused by a Police shooting threatened to derail the entire movement. A youth climate activist, Disha Ravi from Bangaluru was arrested on 13 February 2020 accused of helping the farmers with an online toolkit? That ‘top heavy’ response from the Indian state machinery attracted widespread condemnation.

The farmers have shown great persistence and resilience in holding out for a whole year in difficult conditions. However, the inconsistencies amongst the leadership related to the divergence of agendas need acknowledgement. This rift was partially explained by the conflicting left wing ideology with that of the Sikh conscientiousness leading to the criticism and ‘alienation’ of Deep Sidhu. 

PM Modi’s proposition, “I appeal to all farmers who are protesting, on this good day of Gurpurab, to go home in good spirits” is wishful thinking. There is no the time celebrate or abandon the protest but sober up to the reality of the situation. Farmers need to be conscious of the fact that the campaign had somewhat stagnated and was in need of reinvigoration. The agriculture sector reform has been on the political agenda since 2004 and will no doubt continue beyond the repeal process. It is therefore necessary to prepare the most able, robust and astute team with academic and professional of back up. The leadership will need to tread carefully in capitalizing the advantage gained before ‘troubled waters’ are encountered. The way forward should to be shaped by the farming community based on ecologically sound socioeconomics whilst bearing in mind the ‘corrupt’ nature of the unscrupulous politicians.