Three agricultural laws have been taken back by Indian administration after a year of protest worldwide

The three controversial farm laws passed by Narendra Modi’s administration has been taken back after a year of farmers opposing it. Whole world has been watching a massive level protest started by Indian farmers in August 2020, after three agricultural laws, Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act 2020, Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act 2020 and Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Act 2020, were sanctioned. Since then, administration became spectator, while people across the globe recognized farmer’s struggle and came to their support.

While addressing the nation, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi apologized to the nation and said, ‘Maybe something was lacking that we could not explain the truth to our farmer brothers. We have decided to repeal the three farm laws.’ Minister of State for Agriculture Kailash Choudhary told PTI, ‘Even after several discussions farmers did not understand these laws. I feel we have failed in convincing some of the farmers that led Prime Minister with a heavy heart to take this historic decision of repealing the laws.’ Further he added that farmers should return to their homes now and they should concentrate on farming activities. Protesting farmers welcomed Narendra Modi’s step that is clearly in their interest.  

In spite of the decision to revoke the laws, farmers organization clearly indicated to continue the protest and have kept six demands in front of administration. According to the information, the demands include dismissal of MSP (Minimum Support Price) and Minister of State in Ministry of Home Affairs, Ajay Mishra. His name has been flashed quite a times because of his son, who is accused for the killing of farmers in an accident, lately.

Ranjan Kumar is a farmer and considers himself one of the misunderstood farmers regarding agricultural laws and is quite happy with the decision Prime Minister made to repeal those laws. While talking to Eat News he said, ‘Yes, I am one of those farmers who could not understood the three farm laws that were claimed to be beneficial for Indian farmers. I was against them since the very beginning it got introduced and was part of every possible protest. Today I feel like we, Indian farmers actually won by all supporters by our side and people who became our voice.’ Ranjan Kumar travelled all the way from Punjab to Haryana and to western Uttar Pradesh for raising his voice in support of his other farmer brothers.

Recalling an incident he said, ‘Once I remember, we were sitting on Tikri border for days and a 70 years old farmer accompanied us. We were skeptical from the very beginning that he might get sick due to conditions, but he was rigid with his decision to not leave. And he was there with us during the protest for a whole week, despite of him finding difficulties to breathe.’ Ranjan Kumar believes that, while the protest, many farmers died and let them be remembered like warriors. According to the information, as of March 2021 in total 248 farmers were confirmed dead. Later, Samyukt Kisan Morcha (United Farmers Front) released that over 537 volunteers have died in the protest until July 2021. And by November, the numbers reached 750.

Calling the protest as a landmark to stand up for your community, Ranjan Kumar is proud to be called as a protestor. He said, ‘Before, many people abused us, criticized us, suggested us and even threatened us to keep our mouth shut and go back our homes. But we were sure about the struggle we were getting ourselves into, because these laws were not acceptable. As a community of farmers, each one of us were responsible for standing up ad be a part of it.’ The political interference made farmers protest another topic to debate on news channels without actually benefitting the people who were involved. In Ranjan Kumar’s opinion political leaders bakes their loaves over the spectacle and are nothing less than attention seekers.

‘Its not about which political party, everyone in politics have dirty hands. Everyday news channels covered this story, but rather than talking to a farmer and the impact of these three agricultural laws on our lives directly, they chose to give coverage to the empty words of political leaders,’ he said. In the middle of this news, a narrative is circulating among people that how conveniently Prime Minister agreed to take a step back in continuing these laws, when elections are around the corner. Ranjan Kumar commented on it and said, ‘I have no opinion on this narrative since I am not properly aware about the whole situation. Although it is expected from the administration to go this way but again, I don’t completely believe on this. All matters at the end is that we got what we were fighting for, from so long. And currently, we are more than happy and is not focusing on such narratives.’

But Ranjan Kumar is one disappointment in his heart, and that will stay forever. He said, ‘I am disappointed because if this late decision that impacted hundred lives. More than 700 people who lost their lives while ongoing this protest could have been saved. The accusations that were raised against farmers community would have never happened. And most importantly, the farming activities, which is the livelihood of most of the Indians has been affected largely, like never before.’