Editorial: The Farmer Smiles

This change is definitely not inspired by a change of heart, but forced by fear of elections

Very rarely India sees such a determination as the farming community exhibited in opposing the three contentious farm laws, which now stand repealed. The ruling BJP leadership, which has mastered the art of forcing change using brute tactics, had now been made to eat its own words, courtesy the indomitable spirit of the farmer, who braved a brutal winter, searing summer and an unmerciful corona second wave, during the nearly year-long agitation that broke the ossified political determination for implementation of the three black laws irrespective of the saner advice from all quarters, including the Supreme Court of India. The Modi-led government did everything it could, to defame, demoralise and dismantle the collective psyche of the farming community that laid siege to Delhi. Even the raining lathi blows or the searing jets of water canons or convoys mowing down the protestors did not deter the farmer. It was only the faith in being together and the sometimes-muted support from other sections of society that enabled farmers to continue their struggle launched in November 2020.

Unlike his fractious political commanders, who revel in bulldozing their way through in the name of nationalism and religion, Prime Minister Modi showed exemplary political sagacity when he announced the withdrawal of the black laws. The surprise announcement of the repeal followed by an apology to the country unveiled a different facet of the political monolith that forced several changes on India. Be it the demonetisation, monetisation of national assets, revocation of Article 370 or implementation of GST, et al, an obstinate Modi bulldozed his way through, enlisting support to some of his decisions, while further antagonizing others who fiercely opposed him. But this is the first time, such an inflexible leader did not bat an eyelid while apologising to the country during his televised announcement. Modi carefully chose the time too – on the day of Guru Nanak Jayanti. Behind the well-coordinated move, undoubtedly, is the realisation that the farmers’ agitation was getting a silent nod from the otherwise fractured opposition parties. With the impending Assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh, Punjab and Uttarakhand, the BJP was clearly apprehensive of the farmers’ agitation having an adverse impact on its electoral prospects. Coupled with this, the Telangana developments had to be factored in. The politically immature assertions of State BJP leaders egging on farmers to sow paddy, even while the Centre made it clear that it would not be procuring paddy, precipitated the situation so much so that the ruling Telangana Rashtra Samithi has declared an all-out war against the BJP. That the BJP is being painted as a party inimical to the farming community, which constitutes 60% of India’s workforce, was evident and the change happened. But this change is definitely not inspired by a change of heart, but forced by fear of elections.

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