In late November 2020, New Delhi, the capital of India, saw a large number of farmers arriving from the agricultural states of Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh. They were heading towards the city to protest against three new agricultural laws passed by the Indian government. What started as a peaceful demonstration soon escalated into a tense standoff between the farmers and the authorities, with the borders of Delhi turning into war zones.
The three contentious laws, namely the Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, the Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Act, and the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act, were aimed at reforming India’s agricultural sector. However, the farmers, primarily from the northern states, believed that these laws would undermine their livelihoods by allowing corporate control over agriculture and reducing the government’s role in regulating crop prices.
As the protests intensified, the farmers set up camps at the borders of Delhi, primarily at the Singhu, Tikri, and Ghazipur borders. These makeshift camps became the epicenter of the protests, with thousands of farmers and their supporters gathering to demand the repeal of the controversial laws. The protests gained international attention and support, with celebrities, politicians, and activists around the world expressing solidarity with the farmers.
Despite the government’s attempts to negotiate with the farmers, the deadlock continued for several months. The farmers remained steadfast in their demands, while the government remained firm in its stance that the laws were necessary for agricultural reform. As a result, the protests became increasingly tense, with clashes erupting between the farmers and the police.
The situation reached a boiling point on January 26, 2021, when a tractor rally organized by the farmers to coincide with India’s Republic Day celebrations turned violent. The rally, which was supposed to be a peaceful demonstration, descended into chaos as some protesters broke through police barricades and stormed the historic Red Fort, hoisting religious flags on its ramparts. The violence resulted in the death of one protester and injuries to several others, including police personnel.
Following the events of January 26, the government intensified its efforts to end the protests. It offered to put the implementation of the laws on hold for 18 months and proposed to form a joint committee to discuss the issues raised by the farmers. However, the farmers rejected these offers, insisting on the complete repeal of the laws.
The standoff finally came to an end on November 19, 2021, when the Indian government announced the repeal of the three agricultural laws. The decision was hailed as a victory for the farmers, who had been protesting for over a year. The repeal of the laws was a significant moment in India’s agricultural history and highlighted the power of grassroots movements in influencing government policy.
The farmers’ protests, which transformed the outskirts of Delhi into conflict zones, underscored the challenges confronting India’s agricultural industry. The protests brought to the fore the issues of farmer distress, agrarian reforms, and the need for a more inclusive and equitable agricultural policy. While the repeal of the laws was a significant victory for the farmers, it also underscored the importance of dialogue and consensus-building in addressing complex issues affecting India’s farmers.
