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Government strategy to tire out farmers might turn struggle into battle by way of intensification


 

Tributes to Kisan Martyrs only gain of today’s meeting, battle may now begin

Jagtar Singh

Ground Zero

 

The much-hyped meeting between the Narendra Modi government and the agitating farmers ended in stalemate today. The next round would be on January 8.

The only gain is the tributes to the Kisans who have sacrificed their lives during the struggle beginning with the dharna on the borders of Delhi to demand the repeal of the three contentious laws that the farmers perceive to be threat to their very existence and way of life. That continues to be the main demand followed by legal guarantee to the minimum support price.

The government was virtually made to join the tributes to the farmers as the leaders got up to observe 2-minute silence in their memory. At one level, the government has been forced to recognise the loss of life as sacrifice for the cause.

So far the real issues are concerned, the government made it clear today again that the three  laws that sparked the protest would not be junked. Once again, the government offered to make amendments that the farmers have already rejected.

The only middle path could have been suspension of these laws at least for two years followed by  the formation of the committee to go into entire issue of introducing the much needed reforms in the farm sector and not just in farm trade as has been done by the Modi government that benefits mainly the corporates.

The farmers leaders spearheading the struggle have already given a call to take out tractor parade in Delhi on the Republic Day on January 26.

With the government refusing to yield, it is clear that the strategy seems to be to tire out the protesters.

But then there is the other side too.

This strategy might force the farmer leaders to turn the struggle into battle as the government attitude may spark restiveness, especially among the youth whose participation in the struggle is sizeable. They have observed restraint and discipline till now but are pressing for intensification of the struggle.

It may be mentioned that Punjab is the region where the most peaceful struggles have been witnessed over the years. The present struggle represents re-emergence of that tendency. But then there is the risk factor too and that is also part of history.

The team that is negotiating with the farmers lack the authority to take decision or to give even some assurance. Besides the repeated assertions of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, this powerless team is another indication of the mood of the government.

The seriousness of the government would be betrayed only if this team is restructured by inducting another minister perceived to be ‘powerful’.

According to one indication that was also available at today’s meeting, the government might bring in some modified version of the MSP to divide the farmer organisations.

The issue is no more the repeal of the three laws.

This mobilisation is turning into resistance  against divisive political narrative underlying the governance. For the first time, a new identity is emerging in the country that is secular.

The new identity is the Kisan identity.

Forcing the Modi government to junk the three black laws would amount to scoring a direct hit that would demolish the divisive superstructure.

It is for this very reason that all the forces that are opposed to the anti-people divisive model should join hands.

The command of the emerging battle should continue to be in the hands of the present leadership that has exhibited total maturity.

The government should not underestimate the momentum of this struggle.

Such momentum was not witnessed even during the Dharam Yudh Morcha that was launched by the Akali Dal on August 4, 1982. The people are the same, only the issues and the command this time is different.

PS: The three laws had been discussed clause by clause at the earlier meetings and Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar tried to repeat that exercise again. The government should know that it is talking to the people of this very country that is known as the biggest democracy in the world.

A new term surfaced in social media as this write-up was about to end and that is being repeated here-DEMONOCRACY.

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