The Jai Kisan Andolan, launched by Yogendra Yadav founded Swaraj Abhiyan, has gleaned this crop of data based on an expected production of 1,110 lakh ...

Centre meets farmers today; will the Kisan Andolan come to an end?

2020 Indian farmers' protest

The 2020 Indian farmers' protest is an ongoing protest against the three farm acts which were passed by the Parliament of India in September 2020. The acts have been described as "anti-farmer laws" by many opposition unions, and farmer unions and politicians from the opposition also say it would leave farmers at the "mercy of corporates" The government, however, maintains that they will make it effortless for farmers to sell their produce directly to big buyers, and stated protests are based on misinformation. Several farm unions have come out in support of the farm laws.

Soon after the acts were introduced, unions began holding local protests, mostly in Punjab. After two months of protests, farmers— notably from Punjab, Rajasthan and Haryana— began a movement named 'Dilli Chalo' (transl. Let's go to Delhi), in which tens of thousands of farmers marched towards the nation's capital. Police and law enforcement used water cannons and tear gas to prevent the farmers from entering Delhi. On 26 November, a nationwide general strike that reportedly involved approximately 250 million (25 crore) people took place in support of the farmers according to the trade unions that organised the protests. On 30 November, India Today estimated that between 200,000 and 300,000 farmers were converging at various border points on the way to Delhi.

Farmer's demands

The farm unions believe that the laws will open the sale and marketing of agricultural products outside the notified Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC) mandis for farmers. Further, the laws will allow inter-state trade and encourage voluntary electronic trading of agricultural produce. The new laws prevent the state governments from collecting a market fee, cess or levy for trade outside the APMC markets; this has led the farmers to believe the laws will "gradually end the mandi system" and "leave farmers at the mercy of corporates". Further, the farmers believe that the laws will end their existing relationship with arhtiyas (commission agents who act as middlemen by providing financial loans, ensuring timely procurement, and promising adequate prices for their crop).

Additionally, protesting farmers believe dismantling the APMC mandis will encourage abolishing the purchase of their crops at the minimum support price. They are therefore demanding the minimum support prices to be guaranteed by the government.

Protestes

March to Delhi, 27 November

In Punjab, small scale protests had started in August 2020 when the farm bills were made public. It was only after the passage of the acts that more farmers and farm unions across India joined the protests against the reforms. On 25 September 2020 farm unions all over India called for a Bharat Bandh (lit.transl. nation-wide shutting down) to protest against these farm laws.The most widespread protests took place in Punjab, Haryana and Western Uttar Pradesh but demonstrations were also reported in Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka,Tamil Nadu,] Odisha Kerala and other states. Railway services have remained suspended in Punjab for more than two months due to the protests, starting from October. Following this, farmers from different states then marched to Delhi to protest against the laws. Farmers also criticized the national media for misrepresenting the protest. Farmers' groups said that in the first 22 days of protests, more than 20 farmers had died protesting; some due to hypothermia caused by cold weather