India Withdraws Controversial Farming Laws
After much criticism, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has finally declared that the government would remove the contentious farming bills. Come check out our blog to learn more about these laws.
On November 19th, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a surprise announcement that the government would withdraw three controversial farming bills. The bills were part of the Bharatiya Janata Party's efforts to reform the agricultural sector by bringing private players into the market. Farmers vehemently opposed the reforms and staged protests involving thousands of farmers who camped outside major cities throughout the harsh winter and the COVID-19 pandemic. Dozens of farmers lost their lives in the camps due to suicide, extreme weather conditions, and the virus.
The Withdrawal
The government initially offered to suspend the laws for 18 months, starting in early 2021, to quell the protests, but the farmers refused. Farmers are an important voting block and form a significant portion of the BJP's base.
The BJP has a parliamentary majority and has utilized it to successfully pass legislation, sometimes with little consultation. Despite appeals from the opposition to extend the debate, the contentious farming laws were passed in September 2020. The Prime Minister made the announcement during the Guru Purab festival and was just ahead of key elections in Uttar Pradesh and Punjab. The festival is important to the Sikh, who form the majority of protesters.
The PM used a televised live speech to apologize to the farmers and encourage them to disband. He stated that the process to repeal the laws would start in December.
The Controversy
Despite the protests, the government defended the laws because it believed the reforms were necessary to bring private investment into the sector and boost production. On the other hand, farmers feared that since the laws brought an end to guaranteed pricing, their earnings would fall as they would have to sell their crops to corporates at lower prices. The laws also have clauses that prevent farmers from resolving contract disputes in court, depriving them of an independent means of redress apart from government-appointed bureaucrats.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi's BJP party has enjoyed a significant majority in the Assembly. The coming Indian Assembly elections will be a test of their popularity after the reforms they have passed, including the farming laws.
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