MyVoice: Views of our readers 28th September 2021

Farmers' protests: Stalemate is on

Indian farmers' protest is an ongoing protest against three farm acts which were passed by the Parliament in September 2020. A stalemate between the central government and the farmers has been seen for the past one year. About a dozen rounds of talks have taken place between the central government and farmers represented by the farm unions that failed to yield an amicable solution to the pressing problem. All the talks were inconclusive with the government only agreeing to two of the farmer demands related to stubble burning and an electricity ordinance. A Supreme Court appointed committee has submitted its confidential report before the court. Who is going to break the ice first in the interest of the country is an open question.

Gundu Maniam, Ghaziabad

It is uncharitable to say that the Bharat Bandh called by farmer unions has caused 'disruption,' 'paralysis' and 'inconvenience' and 'hardships' for the public and 'traffic nightmare for commuters' when it is a life-and-death struggle for the farmers, the food producers. It is important that we always try to keep a sense of proportion. The do-or-die spirit with which the farmers are protesting reveals their deep disquiet over the three farm laws enacted, exactly a year ago, to pave the way for the dismantling of the MSP system, takeover of the agriculture sector by the big corporate houses and the eventual loss of agricultural lands. It is futile to try and trivialise the farm protests and show them in a negative light, given the rightness of their cause and the mass support for them. One plausible explanation for the protests being looked on with apparent unconcern and callousness by the Modi government is that it is not predisposed to identify itself with the farmers.

G David Milton, Maruthancode

It's paradoxical that the Prime Minister who had boastfully declared India as the mother of all democracies at UN, is being welcomed by Bharat Bandh, which is a manifestation against anti-democratic stance of his very government at home on his very arrival. All the issues that lead to Bharat Bandh by various parties could have been discussed well, had the government been committed to healthy democratic traditions. The apprehensions of farmers on controversial farm laws are not tried to be allayed. The labour code, the rising prices, the monetisation policy and other important issues that merit discussion could not get adequate time of the parliament. Though the opposition has its share of responsibility in sorry state of affairs in parliament, the main responsibility lies with the treasury benches and the leader of the House.The space for freedom of opponent voices is shrinking. The elections are losing their sanctity due to money power. So one can say India is mother of the democracy, but cannot say assertively that she is well taken care of.

Dr DVG Sankararao, Vizianagaram