Agriculture is the lifeline for India. The impact of the decision of the Central government on this sector is likely to be felt on the entire country. People have not shown their resistance against the BJP government which has taken sensational decisions like note ban, GST implementation and repealing the special status of Jammu and Kashmir. However, the Modi government’s contentious farm laws which were introduced as a big reform in the agriculture sector has led to the farming sector go against the Centre. They have hit the streets alleging that the government was handing over the sector to corporate companies. Though the Punjab farmers initiated the agitation, now the UP farmers also joined them.
Farmers on the streets
Sadly, when the farmers marched all the way to Delhi to express their concerns, they were stopped by the Centre. This led to the farmers turning aggressive and hit the streets of Delhi on Wednesday causing massive disruption to traffic in several areas. With no option left and the situation worsening, the government which initially took the farmer protests lightly agreed to hold talks. With the talks failing, the farmers have increased their intensity. The government is contemplating to call the farmers again for talks.
It appears that the farmers are not ready to go back on their protest on the agriculture Act. While the government says the new Farm Act would benefit the farmer, the farming community says it would put them to loss. They are demanding the Centre to rethink the Act. It has to be seen whether the government would heed to the demands of the farmers and take back the Act or go ahead with it ignoring the protests like it did on several occasions. It is said that the farmers have given a test to the Modi government which is going ahead with reforms.
