Massive Support for Farmers’ Bharat Bandh, Govt Flounders

Bharat Bandh: A Very Much Called-for Blow to the Modi Government

Following an outpouring response to the Bharat Bandh -- a call for which was given by the farmers demanding complete rollback of the three new farm laws -- the protesters have reified their resolve to fight the pro-capitalist government at the Centre tooth and nail. The country witnessed road blockades, large-scale protest demonstrations and strikes as political leaders, workers, civil society organisations as well as common people displayed their dissent against the government on a massive scale.

In the past few years, a deepening agrarian crisis with falling returns for the farmers, increasing debt, suicides, stagnating wages for field labourers, increasing ecological stress and no industrial options for jobs, were leading to periodic outbursts of discontent. But perhaps buoyed by electoral success or perhaps just by a dangerous inability to understand, the Modi government blithely continued, doling out some handouts here, launching some scheme there, and fixing numbers if necessary.

However, in the past couple of days, over 18 political parties, many with strong regional bases, openly supported the farmers’ call, which has helped in making the Bandh a success.

Rollback of Farm Laws: Govt’s Only Option

The farmers’ movement has turned out to be much more resilient, much more widespread and much more astute than PM Modi had ever imagined. The laws are universally seen as attempts by corporates to grab land and turn farmers into wage earners. Consumers fear that prices of essential food items will skyrocket, those dependent on subsidised foodgrain fear the system will collapse.

Interestingly, as the Bharat Bandh drew to a close, NDTV has reported that one of the farmer leaders, Rakesh Tikait, claimed to have received an invitation for a meeting from Union Home Minister Amit Shah today at 7 pm. The development has come a day before the round of talks with the government — scheduled for tomorrow, December 9. Is the government finally ready to concede? Keep visiting NewsClick for more coverage.