FIGHT FOR SUSTENANCE

By: Yash Duggad, PhD 3rd Year

Email: yash.duggad@iitgn.ac.in

In India ‘dharna’, ‘band’ etc. are almost a day-to-day occurrence. But, the nation got a break from it due to lockdowns and prohibition of mass gatherings (thanks to the pandemic). However, this break ended soon with the unlock process. In September (2020) the entire nation again witnessed visuals of ‘dharna’, ‘Andolan’, ‘bandh’ etc. This time it was called by farmers.

The monsoon session of the Indian parliament 2020 passed 3 bills related to agriculture and agricultural produce. These are popularly and collectively known as the farm bills 2020. Further, with the assent of the President of India on 27th September 2020 these bills were all set to inexorably become law. It was these laws against which the farmers were (and are) protesting. These bills created turmoil both inside and outside Parliament. The action inside the parliament was majorly politically driven. In the streets, farmers were opposing the bills owing to concerns from changes. Here I will discuss the protests outside the parliament. The farmers had some major concerns with the changes the farm bills will bring. (Refer to table 1), and the repeal of these laws on November 29, 2021, is further evidence of how we need to understand concerns regarding the laws for future policymaking.

The fears mentioned in Table 1 are genuine and can not be neglected. The major one - with no tax in private mandi more and more business will shift there ultimately leading to the closure of APMC mandis thus leaving no assurance of MSP and sale. But whether these changes will be a boon or bane only time can tell.

What is really intriguing in the entire story is the protest by farmers, for whose betterment the bills were proposed (this is what the government claims), and the sporadic nature of protests. Around 6% (3) of the farmers sell their produce at the MSP, and a major chunk of them are from Punjab and Haryana. Agriculture is the main occupation for the population of these two states, and probably flourished due to the diminished role of public players. For them, it not only seems like a fight for rights or demands it’s also a fight for sustenance. This raises this movement into the third category (which Gadgil and Guha discussed in [4] ) of an environmental movement. To further support my argument I have bulleted paras explaining the reasoning-

● As in India produce of farmers sustains their whole year and further practise break-in cycle may challenge the livelihood of the entire family. Moreover, if we deeply analyse it we will find it very similar to the liberalisation of 1991. The government’s interest might be good and in favour of farmers but from all the experiences of the Industrial Revolution and further so-called development (what Trevelyan discussed in 5) - whenever capitalist or private sector gain control, their primary motive is to maximise money/ profit. Be it the case of resistance to state forestry (east India company, although operating as a state) or Tata group (Mulshi) or any other. The fears of the farmers are rooted in past experience.

● With a single-minded focus on profit, the resulting competition from the big buyers will push and exploit small and poor farmers. Further, this might increase or intensify practices that may degrade the soil, water, and nutrient values of the food. To be in competition farmers might have to choose low-quality seeds (food). To increase yield to fulfill demand they might have to hike the frequency of cultivation (soil). They might grow unconventional food for satisfying or appealing to big buyers which seek large water volumes leading to overexploitation of groundwater (water).

● Most farmers are small farmers so with less produce their negotiating power would also reduce. Also, most farmers are not educated and knowledgeable about the law, so may get tricked by the big players in contractual practices.

● The other reason which makes it an eligible candidate of the environmental movement is the counter-protests by some farmers and other stakeholders in favour. This incident reminds me of the Narmada movement which had 2 parties, one the Gujarat government which had everything to gain, and the other tribal people of Madhya Pradesh who would lose everything. At that time, there were counter-protests as well (5). In this case, the farmers of Haryana and Punjab are probably on the losing end while others are on the opposite side. Although, this analogy might not fit perfectly at some points but is very relevant for sure.

● Further, I provide the definition of the environmental movement which would clear any remaining doubts. What is an Environmental Movement? An act through which either one (group/association etc.) aims to conserve or improve the environment through social and or political movement by bringing change in public policy. It can be at any scale. (2)

However, I would state that (might sound conflicting to my previous view) this movement is an environmental movement in disguise. As most of the farmer associations are demanding an MSP in private mandi as an alternative to roll back bills, their present focus is on the economic aspect only. But what they would achieve, if protests are successful, would be an environmental boon.

The spectrum of denial practices against the laws had most of the conventional shows even in this unconventional time. It ranged from ‘dharna’ to ‘bharat bandh’ to ‘marches’. However, what was innovative was the tractor march since the government denied public gatherings, and to stick to social distancing norms farmers in many regions were seen marching in their tractors.

Based on ideology if I had to categorise the movement among- crusading Gandhian, environmental Marxists and appropriate technology- as per Gadgil and Guha (4). I would not choose a single category. Why? Because at different aspects and parties the ideology juggles between the first and the second. Not accepting the modern change and question of sustenance puts it under Crusading Gandhian. However, the economic and political aspect, alternative of MSP pushes it to the category of environmental Marxist. Since the enemy is the same these ideologies found a convergence point to suit everyone. On the global scale if we try to analyse it along the ideas/ category mentioned in (4) and (5) which basically says that-”environmentalism is a natural product of a rising real standard of living” or North Environmentalism or ‘empty-belly’ South environmentalism. Here also, I think this stands in the middle of both as these protests one side show the economic concern to meet raised living demand and on other hand many poor farmers.

The protests which seem to be for demand or right are in actuality an environmental movement in disgust taking different forms and aspects of environmentalism. This movement in a way combines ecology with equity, social justice with environmentalism.

Shastri Ji in his slogan ‘Jai jawan’’Jai kisan’ puts farmers first to depict their importance. We hope that the changes these bills would bring would be helpful for farmers or get reverted so that our food producers don't have to fight for their sustenance.

References

1. https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/quixplained-what-are-farm-reform-bills-and-why-are-the farmers-worried-6609378/

2. https://www.clearias.com/environmental-movements-in-india/

3. Puhazhendhi, V., 2013. Microfinance India: State of the sector report 2012. SAGE Publications India. 4. Gadgil, M. and Guha, R., 1994. Ecological conflicts and the environmental movement in India. Development and change, 25(1), pp.101-136.

5. Guha, R. and Alier, J.M., 2013. Varieties of environmentalism: essays North and South.