Shiban Khaibri
Agreed, India cannot move forward unless we go in for massive and rapid reforms in each and every sphere of our economy and it is also agreed that any type of reform or innovative measure brings in its wake, some amount of pain or demands a grain of sacrifice which , however, is short lived. Again, it is a matter of a great debate , a serious one, to find out as to why we could not become the “growth engine” of Asia, China instead became. Again, for what reasons , we became virtually but gradually, a subjugated market of Chinese products and reached a position where right from an earthen lamp and toys to electrical machinery, heavy machinery, telecom computers, electronic gadgets, footwear, fertilizer and textiles, pharmaceutical raw material and critical ingredients, we imported from China and why was it allowed to happen over the last five decades by the Central Governments till date to the detriment of local industries and trade . Such a policy adopted by successive Congress Governments was kept unchanged by other parties’ coalition including NDA Governments so much so that during 2019-20 , we bought goods from China worth $62.5 billion or Rs.37500 crore. By as much, we wreaked havoc with our domestic sector leading to not only massive unemployment in these sectors but withering or wasting of our available talent and expertise, in many cases, traditional and hereditary. Now, we have belatedly woken up to the dire need of self reliance , the other face of which is “vocal for local”.
For nearly last 10 months, we are confronted with the century’s worst crisis , that of COVID-19 pandemic . Although we, as a country are not alone to have been affected by this virus, almost the entire globe is. Absolutely unavoidable phases of lockdown and other restrictions halted most of our economic activities and various areas thereof got badly affected, in particular loss of jobs in thousands. The worst affected sectors are the Real Estate , Aviation and Railways, Automobiles, MSMEs and retail and the impact was going to keep our economy sick for many years. While revenues have taken a dip or not collected as per projections , expenditures on relief and rehabilitation of various sectors and affording succour to the needy and worst affected sections of the society has put tremendous strains on our economic resources. While the Government was doing its best to repair and salvage and was showing encouraging results like getting record investment in these testing times , issues of greater ramifications are creeping up which have got an opportunity due to unfavourable timing of pushing in much required reforms in agriculture sector.
What is felt regarding the passing of the three Agricultural Reforms Bills, viz; Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (promotion and facilitation) Bill, Farmers (empowerment and protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Bill and Essential Commodities (amendment) Bill is, timing not conducive and there was every reason to have these Bills postponed for moving in and getting passed by the Parliament due to the pandemic situation which has not as yet freed us from its severe grip. Secondly, if at all these bills were that important to be passed by the Parliament, at least some prior attempts to share and have consultations with some Farm Associations and Unions should have been made as this Government not only believes in but promotes democratic ways and means and has connect with the people. On this front too, the government innocently or unwittingly faltered which has been now exploited by those parties like Congress, NCP, Left Parties, SP etc which when in power or supporting the Government, were strongly articulating such policies and pooh poohing those who were opposing them. Aam Aadmi Party not only “accepted” these bills but notified them too . Last but not the least, the Government otherwise doing its “home work” meticulously could not do mass awareness about these laws describing their merits and thus pre-empting any ”game playing ” by opportunist opposition political parties who are desperate, undone and frustrated due to swelling in strength of the BJP across India , latest evidences of which can be found in winning in Bihar and almost all the by- polls as also splendid victory from 4 to 48 seats in Hyderabad Municipal polls recently.
Agreed that we, as protestors exercising the “democratic right” decide to protest and proceed ”equipping ourselves suitably” and taking along the requisite paraphernalia, must first think that we are all belonging to this country and this motherland provides us everything from cradle to the end of life. It also denotes that this country should prosper, progress and march ahead because therein lies our prosperity and progress. The wheels of the economic activities in our country should move constantly, with speed and remain lubricated. With this small prelude, certain pertinent points which become paramount to be touched looking to the farmers’ protests against recently passed Farm Reforms Bills by the Parliament and having become now laws of the country, need to be spoken about.
The first general census after India got partitioned in 1947, was in 1951 and the population was counted at 36 crore and India declared overpopulated. We, as on date, are 135 crore or roughly 100 crore more but with less of available land, less water, shrunk forests and other natural limited resources as compared to the year 1951. While population explosion brought with it unlimited problems and continuous strain on resources, this country kept on developing infrastructure of different hues which is basic for development comprising among numerous others , a large network of roads for smooth mobility and running of vehicular traffic, laying of new railway tracks on a continuous basis to transport people and commodities and things from one place to another, power stations, hospitals, schools and colleges, professional institutions and what not. While these all keep operating, our country moves forward and struggles to cater to our needs. When we, while protesting, block these very roads, squat on railway tracks and stop movement of trains not for a few hours but days and months together, we, wittingly or unwittingly are stopping India, constricting, obstructing and choking India .
Whatever the cause, conflict or demand, zulum or neglect , we saw Shaheen Bagh motivated and sponsored stir of months at a stretch holding commuters and commerce over a large area, to ransom which by no standards, can be justified especially while holding national flag, watching the provocative slogans raised, the placards, the content of speeches and threatening all proved the real intent behind that motivated and well organised as also adequately funded sit- in agitation. Similar models of agitations aimed at halting and freezing India and its wheels reportedly were simultaneously orchestrated at many places but were successfully thwarted. There was more to see in Shaheen Bagh than met an ordinary eye. If that model is aped now for future agitations including the present one of a few thousand farmers , the countrymen more than the government, needed to think about the overall repercussions of such an unwise strategy adopted under the garb of democratic right.
Let it be said that the “demands” revolving around assured MSP , mode of marketing and issues about APMC of the farmers are genuine , was blocking of railway tracks for months the only way to have and convey their say to the Government ? Did the Government concede and should it, to make it a precedent even after it cost an estimated Rs.1670 crore revenue loss to the railways as freight earnings alone and thus a loss to our country or again loss to the general public. Cancelling a total of 1986 passenger services and 3090 goods trains to the region caused shortage of various raw material and necessary parts and spares thus accentuating further the cycle of losses. As if COVID-19 pandemic had dealt some less damage and loss to the system, these “Rail Roko” , “Sadak Roko” “Toll Plaza Roko” “Chakka Jam” are killing the economy silently. Who benefits from holding the country and the countrymen to ransom , none except elements and forces inimical to the progress and prosperity of the country and those elements against whom some sort of a tirade against corrupt deals and practices was going on.
And when it is the question of the interests being at stake of conventional middlemen habitual of their pound of flesh, the commission agents and other invisible layers between farmers and the ultimate consumers, why should not they ”join the fray” to embarrass the government? There are certain pertinent questions that must be answered by those who are behind these unfortunate protests? How come was ration and other provisions, kitchenware , bedding etc meant to last for 4 to 6 months as claimed, taken along by the agitators? Is it not proving something fishy that ”Congress Rasoyee” and ”Aap Admi Rasoyee” to the agitating farmers point towards a connect to stretch it long? Who had advised them that a “long battle ” had to be “fought” with the Government? When farmers have the present time crucial for sowing, irrigating and other activities, how they left their farms and fields unattended? Are farmers of J&K, Haryana, UP, MP, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Kerala , Karnataka, Bihar and other States and UTs not affected as we see a few thousand farmers mostly from Punjab and Haryana only looking agitated? Sincerely speaking, are farmers feeling “cheated” since September 2020 only when Bills were passed and whether all these 60 years they had no problems and were all in comforts? When even after holding 5 rounds of protracted talk sessions by three Union Ministers and agreeing to make amends in MSP, Grievances redressing procedure and doubts clearing on APMCs , why so much stress on repeal of these laws by farmers?
What rationale is there to declare “Bharat Bandh” on December 8, a day in advance of another round of talks with the Government , say on December 9 (these lines are written on Dec7) ? Why are there numerous farmers Unions , 35 alone from Punjab and why not one single Body or conglomeration of different Bodies? Skies did not fall to merit awards wapsi. Reactions unwarranted like this, entry of some undesirable elements, keen interest in most of the political parties in opposition to see things “going farther” rather than being resolved and the opportunist support of almost all political parties to this Bandh shall be of no use but only expose such parties exploiting the farmers. All this lends credence to the doubt whether there is really ”zulum” through (Black) Farm Reform Bills by Modi Government or Modi in himself appears to be “zulum” to opposition political parties.
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