Farmers’ agitation: Resolving deadlock must to restore nation’s credence, say sociologists

Sunit Dhawan

Tribune News Service

Rohtak, January 28

The happenings that took place during the farmers’ tractor parade in Delhi on Republic Day have sparked a nationwide debate on the stalemate between the Central Government and the farmers opposing the recently enacted agriculture laws.

Sociologists point out that India’s image has taken a beating before the international community and the government as well as the farmers should make a conscious effort to resolve the crisis to restore the country’s credibility.

They maintain that there is a dire need for an alternate narrative to reach a mutually agreeable solution, for which both sides should have some flexibility in their attitude.

“The government should show some compassion and reconsider the imposition of the said laws. It is high time that the Prime Minister should step in. The farmers should also be cautious to ensure that their movement remains peaceful and disciplined,” asserts Prof Jitender Prasad, a noted sociologist.

He remarks that a democratic set-up gets strengthened by protests and it is imperative for the government to listen to the voice of the people, warning that the farmers’ agitation may snowball into a major uprising if it is not dealt with tactfully.

Dr Neerja Ahlawat, a faculty member at the Department of Sociology at Maharshi Dayanand University (MDU) in Rohtak maintains that the ongoing agitation by farmers is an outcome of their worsening condition and simmering discontent associated with it.

“Resentment was brewing amongst the farmers for decades, and the agriculture laws have only triggered the agitation. The farmers have nothing to lose and they can continue their protest demonstrations for several months, even years. The Delhi happenings have dented the reputation of the farmers’ organisations, but they have already condemned those incidents and dissociated themselves from the persons/groups involved in those incidents. Sincere efforts should be made to resolve the crisis in national interest,” she states.