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2024 Indian farmers' protest

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Not to be confused with 2023–2024 German farmers' protests or 2024 European farmers' protests.

2024 Indian farmers' protest
Date13 February 2024 – present[1][better source needed]
Location
 India
Goals
  • 10,000[clarify] per month for every farmer above 60 years[2]
  • Fixed daily wages for farming to the farmers under MGNREGA, Rs 700 a day with 200 days of guaranteed employment a year.[3]
  • Government to ensure at least 50% profit over their overall cost of production.[4]
  • Legal guarantee of minimum support price (MSP) for all the crops
  • Implement the recommendations of the MS Swaminathan committee on agriculture[5]
  • Justice for Lakhimpur Kheri violence[6]
  • Government to honour a promise[clarify] to double their incomes, complaining that costs of cultivation have jumped over the past few years while incomes have stagnated, making farming a loss-making enterprise.[7]
  • Withdrawal of cases registered during the last agitation[clarify] in 2020-21[8]
Methods
Resulted inProtests in parts of Punjab, Haryana and some parts of Uttar Pradesh
Parties
Casualties and losses
Several security force personnel injured[11]
1 protestor succumbed to injuries[12]
160 protestors injured[13]

The 2024 Indian farmers' protest is an ongoing protest started on the morning of 13 February 2024 to demand the government's guarantee on assured floor prices or Minimum Support Price (MSP) for crop production in a repeat of the 2020–2021 Indian farmers' protest.[14] The farmers converged at the borders and tried to march to National Capital Region (India) New Delhi as the negotiations between the farmers' leaders and the government officials on 12 February, which went on until late in the night, yielded no result.[15]

With tens of thousands of farmers marching towards the capital city with their thousands of tractors,[16] the police sealed the borders and placed barricades to prevent the farmers from entering the capital city.[17] Tear gas canisters and water canons were used at some borders to disperse the gathering crowds of farmers to stop the violence, who turned out on tractors, trucks and foot. Huge cement boulders with spikes on top, barbed wire, and metal blocks were used to barricade the border points. Section 144 was imposed for a month preventing the gathering of three or more people.[18] The government of India wants to avoid all the violence created during protests in 2021.

After the 2021 protests, the Indian government withdrew all three controversial acts, namely the Farmers' Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act 2020, the Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Act 2020, and Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act 2020.[19] These three farm acts had been passed by the Parliament of India in September 2020.[19] Over 200 farmers' organizations joined the protest.[20]

The Shambu border between Haryana and Punjab, where thousands of farmers gathered, remained tense as police used tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse the protesting crowds. Barricades were also placed at the Gazipur and Tikri borders.[18] Internet services were suspended in seven districts of Haryana.[17] The borders between Haryana and Delhi were also blocked. Most of the farmers are from Punjab, Haryana and western Uttar Pradesh.[21]

Remarks made by an important leader of the protest, Jagjit Singh Dallewal of BKU (Dallewal) became controversy. A video containing Dallewal's comment that they want to bring down Narendra Modi's graph that got high due to Ram Mandir consecration and that these protests offer a window of opportunity to achieve that.[22] These remarks were criticized by Haryana Chief Minister Khattar.[23] However, Pawan Khera of Indian National Congress supported those remarks by saying farmers have every right to express their political views.[24]

Demands

2024 Farmers protests demands:[25][26][27]

Financial Security:

  • Guaranteed Income: Farmers above 60 years of age, are demanding a monthly pension of ₹10,000.[citation needed]
  • Minimum Wages under MGNREGA: Protesters are seeking fixed daily wages for agricultural work under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA). The proposed wage is ₹700 per day with a guarantee of 200 days of work annually.[citation needed]
  • Agro-Industry Integration Farmers seek better integration with the agro-industry to bypass intermediaries and secure direct market access. They aim to establish farmer-producer organizations, enabling collective bargaining power, fair pricing, and reduced dependency on middlemen.[28][better source needed]

Market Support:

  • Legal Guarantee of Minimum Support Price (MSP) for All Crops: The central demand of the protest is a legal framework guaranteeing MSP for all agricultural produce. Currently, the government announces MSP for only a select few crops, leaving others vulnerable to market fluctuations and potentially lower prices. A legal guarantee would provide farmers with more stable and predictable income.[citation needed]
  • Implementation of Swaminathan Committee Recommendations: The protestors seek the implementation of the recommendations made by the M.S. Swaminathan Committee, a high-level committee formed in 2006 to address agricultural issues in India. The committee's report proposes various measures to improve farmers' income and welfare, including improved infrastructure, investment in research and development, and market reforms.[citation needed]

Other Demands:

  • Along with this demand, farmers also ask for the withdrawal of cases registered during the last agitation in 2020-21.[citation needed]
  • Justice for Lakhimpur Kheri Violence.[citation needed]
  • The farmers also insist that the government ensure at least 50 percent profit over their overall cost of production.[29]
  • The farmers also want the government to honor a promise to double their incomes, complaining that costs of cultivation have jumped over the past few years while incomes have stagnated, making farming a loss-making enterprise.[citation needed]

Government Proposals

Centre proposes 5-year plan to farmers to buy pulses, maize at MSP

Following the government-farmer leaders meeting, a proposal emerged to initiate a 5-year plan for the procurement of pulses and maize at Minimum Support Price (MSP). The MSP serves as a protective measure devised by the government to assure farmers of a guaranteed price for their harvest, shielding them from market uncertainties. Acknowledging the significance of pulses and maize in the agricultural landscape, the government's proposition seeks to extend enduring assistance by ensuring a steady income for farmers.

Under the proposal, a fixed quantity of pulses and maize will be procured at MSP over the next five years. This initiative holds paramount importance in fostering price stability, curbing the exploitation of farmers by intermediaries, and fostering agricultural sustainability. By establishing a dependable market and equitable pricing system, the plan endeavors to motivate farmers to persist in cultivating these crops, thus bolstering the country's food security efforts.[30][better source needed][31]

Gathering of farmers' organisations

The Samyukta Kisan Morcha, a non-political body of farmers that claims to be a platform of over 150 farmer organisations, and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha, which is backed by another 100 farmers' unions, are leading the 'Delhi Chalo' march.[32][33] The protests are led by Jagjit Singh Dallewal of BKU (Dallewal) and Sarvan Singh Pandher of Kisan Mazdoor Morcha.[citation needed]

Certain figures who led the previous protest in 2021, such as Darshan Pal, Joginder Singh Ugrahan, Rakesh Tikait, Balbir Singh Rajewal and Gurnam Singh Charuni are not active in this protest.[21] Earlier in 2021, the Indian farmers' Republic Day protest turned violent.[34][35]

Death and Injuries

February 2024 clashes:

  • Four farmers died during the protests at the Shambhu and Khanauri borders between February 16 and 21, 2024.
  • Three deaths were attributed to cardiac arrest, according to hospital records.[36][37]
  • The cause of death for Shubhkaran Singh, a 21-year-old protester, is undetermined. Farmers allege he died from police firing, while hospital records state he was "brought dead." No postmortem has been conducted yet.[37][38]
  • The other deceased include Gyan Singh (65), Manjeet Singh (72), and Narendra Pal Singh (45).[39][40]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Tight security and barricades as Indian farmers march to New Delhi". Al Jazeera. Archived from the original on 13 February 2024. Retrieved 13 February 2024.
  2. ^ "Farmers protest: Is legal guarantee for MSP the best solution?". The Economic Times. 15 February 2024. Archived from the original on 14 February 2024. Retrieved 17 February 2024.
  3. ^ "Farmer protests: Serious demands to modernise Indian agriculture are woefully missing". The Economic Times. 15 February 2024. Archived from the original on 17 February 2024. Retrieved 17 February 2024.
  4. ^ "Bharat bandh today: What protesting farmers want". 16 February 2024. Archived from the original on 16 February 2024. Retrieved 17 February 2024.
  5. ^ "Farmers Protests: What is Swaminathan Committee and what did it recommend?". The Economic Times. 13 February 2024. Archived from the original on 15 February 2024. Retrieved 14 February 2024.
  6. ^ "Tear gas and rubber bullets as Indian farmers march on Delhi". Al Jazeera. Archived from the original on 15 February 2024. Retrieved 16 February 2024.
  7. ^ "Bharat bandh today: What protesting farmers want". 16 February 2024. Archived from the original on 16 February 2024. Retrieved 17 February 2024.
  8. ^ "Bharat bandh today: What protesting farmers want". 16 February 2024. Archived from the original on 16 February 2024. Retrieved 17 February 2024.
  9. ^ "Modified tractors to lead farmers' protest march, intelligence agencies alert police". The Economic Times. 12 February 2024. ISSN 0013-0389. Retrieved 20 February 2024.
  10. ^ Sharma, Sheenu (14 February 2024). "Farmers protest: BKU-Ugrahan calls for 'Rail Roko' in Punjab today from 12 noon to 4 pm". India TV News. Archived from the original on 14 February 2024. Retrieved 15 February 2024.
  11. ^ Online |, E. T. (13 February 2024). "Farmers' 'Delhi Chalo' Protest: Security force personnel injured as clashes break out between farmers & police". The Economic Times. Retrieved 21 February 2024.
  12. ^ "24-year-old farmer dies amid clash with Haryana police at Khanauri border". Hindustan Times. 21 February 2024. Retrieved 21 February 2024.
  13. ^ "Kept Order Despite Haryana Cops Injuring 160 Farmers: Punjab To Centre". NDTV.com. Retrieved 21 February 2024.
  14. ^ "Farmers Protest, Delhi Chalo Live Updates: cops 'fire live ammunition and expires tear gas' at peacefully protesting farmers, use fixed cemented barricades to forcibly stop protesters to march towards delhi to exercise their democratic right to protest against brutal regime of modi government". The Times of India. 13 February 2024. Archived from the original on 13 February 2024. Retrieved 13 February 2024.
  15. ^ "Police use tear gas against Indian farmers marching to New Delhi to demand guaranteed crop prices". AP News. 13 February 2024. Archived from the original on 15 February 2024. Retrieved 13 February 2024.
  16. ^ Pathi, Krutika (13 February 2024). "Why tens of thousands of Indian farmers are marching toward the capital in protest". AP News. Archived from the original on 13 February 2024. Retrieved 15 February 2024.
  17. ^ a b "Farmers' protest: Delhi turns into fortress as thousands march to India capital". 13 February 2024. Archived from the original on 13 February 2024. Retrieved 13 February 2024.
  18. ^ a b "Farmers Protest: Protesters break barricades, cops lob tear gas". mint. 13 February 2024. Archived from the original on 15 February 2024. Retrieved 13 February 2024.
  19. ^ a b "Government will repeal all 3 farm laws: Modi". www.downtoearth.org.in. Archived from the original on 13 February 2024. Retrieved 13 February 2024.
  20. ^ "Farmers' Protest could be the BJP's Achilles ahead of Lok Sabha polls". mint. 13 February 2024. Archived from the original on 13 February 2024. Retrieved 13 February 2024.
  21. ^ a b "Farmers protest 2.0: What do they want? What is their strategy?". The Economic Times. 13 February 2024. ISSN 0013-0389. Archived from the original on 13 February 2024. Retrieved 13 February 2024.
  22. ^ Phadke, Ruddhi (15 February 2024). "'Need To Bring Modi's Graph Down...': Big 'Political' Comment By Farmer Leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal Triggers Row (VIDEO)". The Free Press Journal. Retrieved 20 February 2024.
  23. ^ HT News Desk, ed. (15 February 2024). "Farmers moving like army with tractors; making political comments: Haryana CM". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 20 February 2024.
  24. ^ PTI, ed. (15 February 2024). "'Modi graph' video: Cong says farmer has right to air political views, BJP points to PM's popularity". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 20 February 2024.
  25. ^ "Farmer protests: Serious demands to modernise Indian agriculture are woefully missing". The Economic Times. 15 February 2024. ISSN 0013-0389. Retrieved 16 February 2024.
  26. ^ "Farmers demand ordinance on MSP ahead of crucial talks with government today". India Today. Retrieved 18 February 2024.
  27. ^ "Farmers protest 2.0: What do they want? What is their strategy?". The Economic Times. 13 February 2024. ISSN 0013-0389. Retrieved 18 February 2024.
  28. ^ IAS, Top IAS Coaching in Delhi-SHRI RAM. "Farmer Protest 2024: Understanding the Demands and Implications for National Policy | Best IAS Coaching in Delhi, India - SHRI RAM IAS". web.shriramias.in. Retrieved 18 February 2024.
  29. ^ "Bharat bandh today: What protesting farmers want". Hindustan Times. 16 February 2024. Archived from the original on 16 February 2024. Retrieved 17 February 2024.
  30. ^ IAS, Top IAS Coaching in Delhi-SHRI RAM. "Centre proposes 5-year plan to farmers to buy pulses, maize at MSP | Best IAS Coaching in Delhi, India - SHRI RAM IAS". web.shriramias.in. Retrieved 19 February 2024.
  31. ^ "Government proposes 5-year plan for key crop prices, over to farmers". India Today. Retrieved 20 February 2024.
  32. ^ "Farmers Protest LIVE Updates: Congress will give legal MSP guarantee, says Rahul Gandhi". Hindustan Times. 13 February 2024. Archived from the original on 13 February 2024. Retrieved 13 February 2024.
  33. ^ "Farmers back on road to Delhi: How the current protest differs from the 2020-21 edition". The Indian Express. 12 February 2024. Archived from the original on 12 February 2024. Retrieved 13 February 2024.
  34. ^ "India protest: Farmers breach Delhi's Red Fort in huge tractor rally". BBC News. India. 26 January 2021. Archived from the original on 30 January 2021. Retrieved 13 February 2024.
  35. ^ "Outnumbered, but not outdone: Injured cops recall Republic Day horror". The Times of India. 28 January 2021. ISSN 0971-8257. Archived from the original on 7 February 2021. Retrieved 13 February 2024.
  36. ^ "Farmers' protest: 4 farmers dead, 46 admitted to hospital, 18 with 'gunshot' injuries". Newslaundry. Retrieved 23 February 2024.
  37. ^ a b "Who was Shubhkaran Singh? The young farmer who died during protests". Deccanherald. Retrieved 23 February 2024.
  38. ^ "Dead Farmer Leaves Behind Mentally-Ill Father, Student Sister And A Loan". NDTV. Retrieved 23 February 2024.
  39. ^ "Another protesting farmer dies of heart attack at Khanauri border". Deccanherald. Retrieved 23 February 2024.
  40. ^ "Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann announces Rs 1 crore ex-gratia for farmer who died during farmers protest". TIO. Retrieved 23 February 2024.
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