Describing Home Minister Amit Shah’s offer of talks as conditional, the agitating farmers who have blocked all entry and exit points on the Delhi-Haryana border, seem to be preparing for a prolonged protest. They declined to go to the Burari grounds that had been designated by the Delhi police for them, stating that the place was like an open jail, from where no one would care to listen to their grievances. The farmers have already announced that no leader belonging to any political party would be allowed to share the dais with them, thereby putting to rest the rumour, sought to be started by some BJP leaders, that the Congress was fuelling the agitation. In fact, the signals emanating from the farmers’ leaders suggest that they would not buckle under any pressure from any quarter and allow themselves to be used as pawns by politicians. This is the sole reason why political leaders have kept themselves away while identifying themselves with the issues, since they have no other option.
The situation, in a way, is also similar to what had happened during the UPA regime when the India Against Corruption Movement gained momentum with Anna Hazare as its spearhead with multiple Ramon Magsaysay award winners lending their weight to it. It is not a mere coincidence that many activists associated with the IAC are once again active and are openly supporting the farmers. These include Medha Patkar and Yogendra Yadav and even Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, who reaped the maximum dividends from the earlier movement. The RSS had worked behind the scenes during the IAC agitation and so far, there is no indication what its views are regarding the grievances of the farming community.
However, what needs to be understood in crystal clear terms by those in authority, whether at the Centre or in the states, is that the matter should not be allowed to get prolonged. This would be in the interest of no one. While Punjab and Haryana farmers have descended on Delhi, those from western Uttar Pradesh and some other places would shortly be joining them in the capital. The dilemma before the security forces that have been deployed to stop their march forward is that the majority of our jawans also hail from rural areas and can thus easily empathise with the agitating farmers. Undoubtedly, no administration in the country can term the agitators as “anti-national” since they not only provide food-security to the citizens but also contribute immensely to our overall income. Over a dozen leaders of Indian origin, now members of Parliament in Canada and the UK, have condemned the use of force on the farmers by the Haryana police. Therefore, there is every possibility that this could acquire an international dimension as well, and thereby needs prompt resolution.
The Central government must go in for an out-of-box solution ensuring that communication channels are kept open. The farmers have protested in Delhi on earlier occasions too returning peacefully to their native villages after presenting their case. Nearly three decades ago, Mahinder Singh Tikait, the farmer leader from western UP, along with thousands of his followers, had camped at the Boat Club lawns. The Delhi police which was at its wits end, used a novel method to force them to vacate the place by turning on water faucets in the lawns. In the current instance, the agitation has been triggered because the Centre introduced farm laws without taking into consideration the views of those who were going to be impacted. The Centre must not stand on prestige and listen to the grievances with an open mind. If in the eventuality, some steps have to be retracted, it should not matter, as long as there is a forward movement in settling the dispute. Noted Urdu poet and political philosopher Mohammad Iqbal had during the height of the freedom struggle stated, “Jis Khet Se Dahkaan ko Myassar Na Ho Rozi, Us Khet ke Har Khoshaye Gandum Ko Jalda Do, Utho Meri Duniya Ke Gareebon Ko Jaga Do.” Such a situation should not be allowed to evolve in a free and democratic India.