Dear Editor,
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has started dialogue with farmers. The solution of farmer’s protest can be ensured only through dialogue. Farmers and government will also have to adopt a flexible approach. Farmers have been agitating for the last several days.
Farmers believe that 3 new agricultural laws should be withdrawn by the government. However, it seems that in this protest, farmers are less and leaders are more. Politics is taking place in the name of farmers. Everyday farmers are being misled. Rumors are being spread.
Farmers should understand that all the 3 farm laws are made for their benefit. Farmers of all the states of the country are not against agriculture laws. It is understandable that farmers may have problems about certain provisions, but it is completely unfair to call all three farm laws as anti-farmer.
The farmers should leave the dogma and communicate. Dialogue must be held for resolution. No government can answer in yes or no. So far, 6 rounds of negotiations have failed. Even on Bharat Bandh, farmers have not got any support. Farmers should learn a lesson from this.
Realising the seriousness of the situation, the government and farmer leaders should talk seriously, so that the solution can come out. Due to the agitation, the country is losing thousands of crores every day.
The government has agreed to make amendments in the farm laws and MSP is not going to affected. The introduction of new laws will increase investment in agriculture, which is in the interest of farmers. A large market will be available to farmers. Farmers will get relief from middlemen and will get fair price for their crops. Farmers will be able to sell their crops through digital modes.
How many states are there in the country, why only the farmers of Punjab have the highest objection to the farm laws? It can be understood easily. Farmers of all the remaining states of the country are happy with the new laws and are in support of same.
State governments have also been given adequate powers. The new farm laws will be applicable in the state only if state government will allow. The central government should make provisions related to this more clearly. Whether or not to adopt farm laws, it should be left to the state governments.
So far, all the arguments made against the three agriculture laws by the so-called farmer leaders or peasant organisations involved in the movement are ridiculous. All the arguments are being given in the estimation of future losses. These future losses are based on blank imagination. They have nothing to do with reality. Naive farmers should understand these things seriously.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi should go ahead and start a dialogue with farmers. The Prime Minister has talked to thousands of farmers during this period. Now he should resolve the matter quickly by communicating directly with the farmers’ organizations and farmer leaders involved in the protest.
Prof. Vivek Singh
Columnist and thinker
Economic, Political and Social Analyst.
