As Indian farmers mark today the first anniversary of their massive and courageous protests near New Delhi against the controversial three farm laws, PAN Asia Pacific (PANAP) expresses our solidarity with their relentless struggle against government policies that seek to monopolize the food system and deprive farmers of their income and livelihood.
Enacted in September 2020, the Three Farm Laws refer to the Farmer’s Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act (FPTC), the Farmers Empowerment and Protection Agreement of Price Assurance and Farm Services Act, and the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act (ECA). Under these neoliberal policies, agricultural produce is subject to the market outcomes decided by large agribusinesses, effectively raising food prices while lowering farmers’ incomes, creating exploitative working conditions, and sanctioning corporate hoarding.
On this day, which is also the 72nd anniversary of the Indian Constitution, we reaffirm our support for the smallholders’ and agricultural workers’ demands for just and equitable agrarian programs. We salute the courage and resolve of the millions of farmers who have fought these neoliberal laws with unshakeable determination. We honor the more than 700 farmers who have died in the struggle against the three farm laws.
Their bravery and sacrifice did not go to waste as Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently announced that his government would repeal the Three Farm Laws enacted in September 2020. We welcome this development as a victory for the Indian farmers and their supporters from around the world, even as we join them in their firm assertion to put in place meaningful changes in agricultural programs and policies that will genuinely protect and advance the rights and welfare of farmers.
We must also note that Prime Minister Modi’s announcement of the repeal has come at a time of heightened political tension. As assembly elections in the rural-dominated Uttar Pradesh and Punjab states draw near, we recognize that a political agenda may very well be behind Modi backpedaling on the contentious farm laws.
Thus, we unite with the Indian farmers and their movements in remaining vigilant amid the upcoming elections and the government’s promise of withdrawing the farm laws in an apparent attempt to fix its already severely damaged political legitimacy. We join them in their continued demand and actions to hold the Modi regime accountable for government-sanctioned violence and administration-backed corporate control at the expense of the Indian farmers. ###
Reference: Ms. Sarojeni Rengam, Executive Director (nolandnolife@panap.net)
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