Why are the farmers protesting again?
Two years ago, Indian farmers protested against the government regarding things like minimum support price (MSP), unemployment, etc. It was a big protest that lasted for many months. Now, the farmers are protesting again and going to Delhi.
Some reasons they're protesting again:
- Farmers want legal assurance of a minimum support price (MSP) for all crops and a proper determination of crop prices. The MSP is the price at which the government buys the farmer's produce, regardless of supply. It helps farmers avoid losses.
- They are also demanding a full debt waiver for farmers and labourers.
- They also want pensions for farmers and farm labourers.
- They're demanding money for the families of farmers who died during the last protest.
- They want more days of employment under MGNREGA.
- Farmers want companies that sell fake seeds, fertilisers, etc., to be punished. They also want better quality seeds.
- They want the government to protect the rights of indigenous people to water, forests, and land.
- They're demanding the removal of a minister whose son is accused of driving his car into farmers in Uttar Pradesh's Lakhimpur Kheri area in October 2021.
- Farmers don't want private companies to control electricity. Currently, states give farmers cheap electricity, but they fear private companies will charge more.
- They also want the government to keep its promise to double their income.
These are some of the demands of the protesting farmers.
Which farmers are participating in the present protests?
Farmers from Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Madhya Pradesh are protesting together. Groups like the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (non-political), Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM), and Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee are leading the protests.
They say many unions are joining the protest march to Delhi. The farmers are going to Delhi and might reach the city soon. They've asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to help solve their problems.
How has the government responded to the protest?
Government officials and ministers tried to talk to the protesting farmers, but they couldn't reach an agreement. On 13th February 2024, police used tear gas and arrested some farmers who fought with them at the border between Haryana and Punjab.
Police also used tear gas at a border crossing in northern Haryana, which leads to Delhi. They blocked highways to Delhi and increased security to stop farmers from reaching the capital. But farmers are trying to remove the barriers to reach Delhi.
Update
As per the latest reports, the farmers have decided to postpone their planned protest march to New Delhi. This is because there are plans to hold another meeting with government ministers on 18th February 2024. The protesting farmers are going to stay at the Punjab and Haryana borders for now.
