Farmers’ protest was most sustained peasants’ movement since Independence: Prakash Karat

 

Former general secretary of CPI-M Prakash Karat called the farmers’ protest of 2020-21 as the most sustained and united struggle of the peasantry in India since Independence.

Speaking about the political implications of the protest (2020-21) at an online lecture organised by the city-based Foundation for Agrarian Studies (FAS) on February 17, he pointed out that the agitations against the three farm laws started in Punjab, Haryana, and Western Uttar Pradesh — the areas which are agriculturally developed and where farmers have historically received state support.

“The Acts elicited a huge response from farmers, particularly those directly affected by the APMC Amendment Act. These laws were also challenged by those who feared that this was the first step towards the abolition of minimum support prices (MSP), which farmers in many parts of India see as the last line of protection from income collapse. The Central Government and the ruling party adopted various tactics to divide farmers, the peasantry faced all this with great courage and determination. Despite winter and harsh weather, peasant masses, many with families, braved repression of all kinds,” he added.

“Many political parties that were either supporters of growing privatization of the economy, or fence-sitters, were forced to change their stance. The movement also led to the isolation of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), particularly in Punjab, and in parts of Western Uttar Pradesh. The geographical location of the protest was also politically significant. The mass upsurge around the capital was difficult to ignore for the ruling party at the Centre,” he elaborated.

Read More : https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/bangalore/farmers-protest-prakash-karat-7779685/