Agitation by farmers, cause of worry; quick solution is the need of hour
It must be admitted that the farmers' unrest in both the States of Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra has to do with certain grievances, many of which are genuine and need to be addressed. It is, therefore, expected that Governments of both States will do their best to tackle the problems of agitating farmers; and they have, perhaps, already initiated steps in this direction. There can also be no denial of the fact that while the grievances of the farmers are real, resorting to violent protests to let the problems be heard is no solution. The farmers in both States threw edibles, milk and other farm products on the streets, and there were also instances of stone-pelting and targeting of police personnel. Such mannerism amounts to wastage of food and inconvenience to the public. Normal life comes to a standstill. Essential supply of food are then either not available or are available at high prices. Moreover, it is difficult to belief that the farmers could have themselves gone to this extent of violence. Undoubtedly, they seem to have been motivated by vested interests. The truth of this can be established in the case of the protest in Madhya Pradesh. Initially, there were three farmers' bodies that were asking for better price mechanism of their farm produce, among other demands. To assuage frayed nerves, the Shivraj Singh Chouhan Government had consultations with the union members and agreed to buy onions at eight rupees per kg. The Government also agreed to pay half the dues of the farmers. Subsequently, one body, the Bharatiya Kisan Sangh, decided to end the protest as it was satisfied with the Government's assurance. But the other two refused to budge and decided to continue with the agitation. Matters worsened when five farmers were killed in firing. The death of the farmers is tragic and the perpetrators must be brought to book. But there seems to be confusion as to who fired at the agitators. Whether it was done by the police force or by someone within the crowd, has not been established. Only an inquiry can bring out the truth.
Similarly, in Maharashtra, the farmers came out to the streets, demanding full waiver of farm loans, better price for agricultural produce and free electricity. Incidentally, here too, the farmers’ strike was called off after the Devendra Fadnavis Government agreed to a majority of their demands. But despite the categorical assurances, protests refused to end. The agitation has now taken an uncertain direction with political leaders deciding to visit the families of the deceased farmers to gain mileage. But what is amply clear is that the demands were motivated by the Uttar Pradesh Government's decision to give a loan-waiver to its farmers. There can be no comparison; if one State decides on a certain policy, it does not mean that this would become a national policy. The demand is more unrealistic given that respective States have to function within the limits of their finances. That the farmers have been suffering for reasons not within their grip is clear. It’s worse that innocent lives should be lost. A long-term solution to the farmers’ woes is the need of hour.