CHANDIGARH: Deep unrest is being witnessed in Sikh-dominated agrarian state of Punjab as Parliament of India is all set to pass three farm bills which have been found destructive for farmers, despite unprecedented resentment among the farmer community across the Indian union against these bills.
Hindu right political party BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government of India is adamant to enact these bills ever since it has issued ordinances in this regard setting aside the apprehensions of the farmer community which is uprising various states especially in Punjab.
Despite this unrest in the border state, the Rajya Sabha, upper house of the parliament, today passed two contentious farm bills by voice vote amid protests by opposition members. The House witnessed chaotic scenes after some slogan-shouting opposition members led by the Trinamool Congress climbed on to the chairperson’s podium demanding a discussion when the bills were being passed.
These bills are the Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Bill, 2020, and The Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Bill, 2020. The third one, the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Bill, 2020, part of the broader farm liberalisation plan, could not be taken up and the House was adjourned for the day.
In protest against these would be legislations, farmers of Punjab are on road to demonstrate with all the possible democratic means. Villages, towns and cities are seeing protests by the farmers owing allegiance to all the organizations. Besides, political parties of Punjab except BJP and Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal) have joined the stir.
Though, the SAD (Badal) Members of Parliament have voted against the bills in the parliament and its Harsimrat Kaur Badal has quitted the Modi cabinet after facing heat from the Punjab’s farmers, but has not revoked its support to the BJP-led government.
On September 19, representatives of as many as 30 farmer organizations gathered at Moga. This is for the first time in recent years that most of the farmer organizations of Punjab have shown unity to undertake the stir against the union government. They announced a common course of action to defeat the BJP’s purpose—paving the way for corporate monopoly on agriculture.
Today, the farm organisations burnt the effigies of Prime Minister Narendra Modi at various locations in Punjab to protest the tabling of farm Bills in the Rajya Sabha, but the bills were still tabled for clearance by the house.
As per their action plan, the farmer bodies will hold a complete bandh in Punjab on September 25 in protest against the Bills. It will be a complete shutdown of the public transport system and business establishments. Trains will be halted at identified locations in the state, as announced by the farmer leaders. During Panthik gathering at Akal Takht on September 17, the Sikh bodies will also take part in the stir for Punjab shutdown.
Over social media, ‘I support farmers’ campaign has become popular. Keeping in view the seriousness of the situation, various popular Punjabi singers including Malkit Singh, Gurdas Maan, Jasbir Jassi, Ranjit Bawa and Harjit Harman etc have also come in support of the cause. Harman is seen shouting slogans sitting along with the agitating farmers against the Modi government in a video clip going viral over social media.
On the other hand, Bollywood celebrity-turned-politician and Gurdaspur MP Sunny Deol and Punjabi Pop singer Daler Mehandi are facing the wrath of Punjabis for supporting the farm bills against the concerns of farmers. “Sir, u r MP from Gurdaspur, @iamsunnydeol, so u should do something for farmers, kam se kam kisana de haqq vich awaz maar do, tuhanu punjabia bhut hope nal MP banaya. M also from Gurdaspur, Majhe valya ne jis nu v jitaya mudke vadya e nahi. Palo votan”, says Bawa in a tweet.
Under the banner of Bharti Kisan Union (Ekta-Ugrahan), the farmers are demonstrating outside the residence of the SAD (Badal) patriarch and five times CM, Punjab Parkash Badal for the last many days. Resenting the bills, they are demanding the SAD (B) be withdrawing support to the Modi government.
With the passing of these bills, Punjab is set to see a worse situation in the coming days.
Notably, Punjab is boiling on this issue, yet Punjab-based leaders of the saffron party are justifying the move.
Again, one sided half-truths which is your specialty. Yes, it is true that Punjab is witnessing deep unrest and probably has more Sikhs are affected. But you totally mised to note that Haryana farmers are also equally protesting, yes Deep unrest in Haryana as well.
I wish you spoke whole truth your intentions are not pious. Karma will take its way with you.