The ongoing farmers’ demonstration in India has once again taken a dramatic twist, with Haryana police warning protesters that their passports and visas could be nullified. This move comes as tensions continue to escalate between the government and farmers, who have been demanding the repeal of three contentious agricultural laws.
The warning was reportedly issued in a letter sent to the heads of various farmers’ unions by the Haryana Police. The letter stated that if the protests continued, the police would take action under the Passport Act, of 1967, and the Foreigners Act, of 1946. This could lead to the cancellation of passports and visas, making it difficult for protesters to travel internationally.
The letter also warned that if the protests lead to violence or breach of peace, the police would take necessary action to maintain law and order. This could include the use of force to disperse the crowds, as has been seen in previous clashes between police and protesters.
The move by the Haryana Police has been met with criticism from farmers’ unions and opposition parties, who have accused the government of trying to suppress dissent. They argue that the right to protest is a fundamental democratic right and should not be curtailed.
The farmers’ protest, which began in November 2020, has seen thousands of farmers camping on the outskirts of Delhi, demanding the repeal of three agricultural laws passed by the government. The laws, which were enacted in September 2020, aim to liberalize the agricultural sector by allowing farmers to sell their produce directly to private buyers and enter into contract farming agreements with agribusinesses.
However, farmers argue that the laws will leave them vulnerable to exploitation by big corporations and undermine the existing system of government-regulated wholesale markets. They are demanding that the laws be repealed and replaced with legislation that guarantees minimum support prices for their crops and protects their rights as farmers.
The government, on the other hand, has defended the laws as necessary reforms that will modernize the agricultural sector and benefit farmers in the long run. It has offered to make amendments to address some of the farmers’ concerns but has refused to repeal the laws altogether.
The standoff between the government and farmers has led to several rounds of negotiations, but so far, no resolution has been reached. The issue has also become a political flashpoint, with opposition parties accusing the ruling party of being insensitive to the plight of farmers.
As the protests persist, the atmosphere remains fraught, with both factions holding firm in their positions. The warning by the Haryana Police is likely to further inflame tensions and could lead to more confrontations between police and protesters. It remains to be seen how the government will respond to the escalating crisis and whether a solution can be found that satisfies both farmers and the government.
