Indian Farmers National Rally in Delhi: Will Mr. Singh listen?

Stephanie Wang

Delhi, October 18^th, 2011

Indian Farmers protested against the deep agrarian crisis

 

Thousands of farmers from all over India gathered in Delhi on October 18^th and protested against the ongoing collapse of India's agriculture and peasantry. Demands were articulated around the necessary implementation of a protective market for domestic agricultural products, as well as a decent social security for the farmers. Other demands include the rejection of the new land acquisition Act and Free trade agreements in agriculture (see the memorandum below). These demands were established by the farmers leaders of Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Khand, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. They met on October 16 and 17 and discussed in detail the most crucial issues affecting farmers livelihood today. All agreed that a stronger state support should be provided to the farmers as a protection to world market's volatility and unequal competition. They discussed about World Trade Organization and neo-liberalism, both being responsible for the deeper crisis in agriculture. Furthermore, they rejected Free Trade Agreements which are giving access to the corporate to trade and control the life of peasants.

On the 18^th, after hours of speeches delivered by their representatives and leaders, farmers moved behind the stage and broke the police barricade in Jantar Mantar. This decision was taken the previous day by the farmers’ representatives to express the anger and determination animating India’s peasantry.

Later, hundreds of protesters rushed in the police station and occupied it to tell the central government, through a non-violent action, that the people’s unrest can never be muted.

Finally, a group of 8 farmers’ representatives made their way to the North block to meet the Prime minister. Unfortunately, he was out of the country and they could only meet his representative, M. Narayanaswamy. The farmers delegates lend him out the memorandum which was received positively. He said the farmers demands would be discussed within the inter-ministerial committee which would then take appropriate action. The farmers strongly communicated their dissatisfaction to the government concerning agriculture, trade, prices and the overall crisis of agriculture. Finally, the farmers’ leaders left Mr. Singh's office with a promise that a meeting with him will be arranged by November 10th.

Once again, despite the massive mobilization of farmer citizens from all casts, age groups, genders and states, Medias preferred to cover irrelevant and alienating events instead of covering the protest.

On October 17^th, leaders also discussed on how to strengthen the Indian Coordination Committee of the Farmers Movement (ICCFM)'s organization. S. Kannaiyan, representing the South Indian Coordination Committee of the Farmers Movement, pointed out the necessity to democratize decision making processes within the movement, in terms of gender, caste and age. Chukki Nanjundaswamy, the General secretary of Karnataka Rajya Royatha Sanga(KRRS) , also suggested to initiate mobilizations at state levels in order to bring in more young leaders in the movement. Indeed, women, marginalized farmers and youth should be encouraged to take part in the movement. For instance, women and tribal leaders did delivered speeches during the rally, but only after men did. The senior leaders were in complete agreement with the younger farmers representatives.