‘Won’t be taken in by political theatrics’

‘Everything will be privatised’

In the official garb of Acts, the Central Government is toeing the World Trade Organisation’s line and going in for the complete privatisation of agriculture. Like the telecom sector where private companies have virtually ousted the BSNL, the government will soon be withdrawing from the crop purchase regime, leaving farmers at the mercy of corporates. The government

has already expressed its intention to privatise the railway sector. It shouldn’t come as a surprise if tomorrow the government decides to hand over the school education and healthcare completely to the private sector. We fear the government is withdrawing from its role as a welfare state.

Leave aside farmers, the government is not even listening to the opinion of the leading experts, including economists, on agriculture who have highlighted the gaping holes in the Acts. Even big countries, like the United States, take care of farmers by offering sizeable subsidy to them. Dr Darshan Pal, President, Krantikari Kisan Union

‘Protest gaining momentum’

Finally, various farmer unions have realised how important it is to speak in one voice. The protest is gaining momentum now. Earlier, farmer groups were working on different paths. For example, the Bhartiya Kisan Union, the biggest farmer organisation in the state, has many groups, including Dhakaunda, Ekta Ugrahan and Rajewal besides others. At the national level, we have more than 250 farmer organisations, but no common voice. Even reports of the Intelligence Bureau pointed out that farmers were not united and speaking in different voices, giving an impression to the authorities that the movement lacked the direction.

Since September, there have been winds of change. All unions have now joined hands to stay relentless in their pursuit to ensure the government cedes to farmers’demands. We belong to the land of Shaheed Bhagat Singh and won’t give up even if the government tries its best to repress our voice. Rattan Singh Randhawa, Vice-president, Jamhoori Kisan Sabha

‘Pressure tactics won’t work’

With a commitment to fight it out till the end, farmers are on the road. We know the government has exercised its power to silence the voices of dissent in the country, like those of a medically challenged Prof GN Saibaba, 80-year-old poet Varavara Rao and peaceful protesters of Jamia Millia Islamia. We will not succumb to any pressure come what may.

The issue is not about the withdrawal of the Acts, it is more about the farmers being ignored and not taken into confidence before finalising such crucial Acts that impacted them. What kind of democracy are we talking about? Let alone talking to farmers, the government did not even bother to follow the proper procedure to get the Bills cleared in Parliament. Was there any need to bring the ordinances in the first place? We will not relent till the government decides to withdraw the Acts. Joginder Singh Ugrahan, President, BKU (Ekta Ugrahan)

‘Political parties stand exposed’

Farmers are aware of the political theatrics being played out on the pretext of standing by their side. All of them stand totally exposed before farmers, particularly the SAD and Congress. Both have been responsible for the farmers' plight over the past several decades. They have been forced to come out on the streets only to remain politically relevant.

The SAD leadership cannot deny the fact that they were very much a part of the formal exercise of the government that brought in the laws affecting the farmers. A Union Minister has gone on record to say that Harsimrat Kaur Badal never objected to the farm laws. The SAD president is asking the minister to make the proceedings public. Why cannot they both tell the truth? Farmers in many villages have, in fact, put up banners banning the entry of politicians. Leaders such as Bhagwant Mann of the AAP are attending farmer rallies like a common participant. Balbir Singh Rajewal, President, BKU (Rajewal)