Farmers Protest From Europe To India (image-twitter/PAME_Greece)
Farmers across Europe have ramped up protests against European Union measures, subsidy cuts, cheap imports, high energy prices, and the imposition of green policies. At the same time, in India, a little more than two years after they called off their massive protest at the doorstep of Delhi, are once again on the road to the capital.
Beginning in January, farmers from several member-nation of the European Union including Belgium, Bulgaria, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Poland and Spain have come out on streets with tractors, blocking ports and highways and choking city centres. A similar kind of situation now could be seen in India too. The farmers have started marching towards Delhi on February 13th.
Why are farmers protesting in India?
Farmers protest 2.0 known as ‘Delhi Chalo’, farmers from states Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh with over 200 unions are marching towards Delhi today, demanding legal guarantees for the minimum support price (MSP). The main proposals demanded by the farmers also include full debt waiver, pension, and the implementation of the Swaminathan Commission’s formula and withdrawal of cases against farmers during the 2020 protest.
Government’s MSP assurance was one of the conditions on which the farmer groups had withdrawn their year-long agitation on the borders of Delhi in 2020-21.
The protestors are also seeking compensation for land acquired by various authorities for developmental projects. They are also advocating for the reservation of 10 percent of residential plots on developed lands of their families. They have also demanded withdrawal from the World Trade Organisation as well as the freezing of all trade agreements.
Unlike the 2020 protest, the government has already started the negotiation process even before the Delhi Chalo commencement. The first meeting with the union minister was held on February 8 and the second happened on February 12. Unlike in 2020, the farmers were not granted permission to enter the national capital and the administration has also implemented stringent preventative measures. The Haryana government has closed all borders with Punjab. There are barbed wire, cement barricades and nails on the road in Delhi. And Section 144 is also implemented in the state.
Why are farmers protesting in Europe?
The farmer”s protest in Europe initially erupted in France. France is the EU’s biggest agriculture producer. The farmers alleged that they are being paid low and choked by excessive regulation on environmental protection.
They have argued that the push by the government and the retailers to bring down the price inflation has now left the producers unable to cover high costs for energy, fertilizer, and transport. Another common grievance from protestors is that they are being suffocated by the government’s red tape. The farmers of Europe are tied down by French and EU rules that govern farming, land use, and distribution of billions in agricultural subsidies.
What’s common?
The timing of the protest has come amid elections. The European Union has scheduled its election to be held at the beginning of June. Similarly, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is looking for a straight third-term win in the seat of governance but the farmer”s protest will now stand as worry ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
Strategically, in both India and Europe, this is the best time to express their grievances and to compel the one in power to pay close attention to what they have to say.
Farmers staging protest hail from politically crucial states of Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh. Apart from the farmers from the Hindi heartland, the farmers of Tamil Nadu have joined the protest. If Modi fails to tackle the issue cautiously, the farmers might jeopardize Modi’s strong hold over the Hindi heartland and his effort to impress India’s southern state.
