Tough soil

The farmers’ protest continues to unsettle parties ahead of the four-way political contest in Punjab

- PRATUL SHARMA

The harvest this year yielded a record production of wheat, resulting in a record procurement by government agencies. The full granaries provide a sense of security to the country during the Covid-19 crisis. Yet, farmers continue to be on the warpath.

For over six months, farmers mostly from Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh have been camping at Delhi’s borders—defying vagaries of weather, and in denial of Covid-19— demanding the repeal of the three contentious farm laws passed in Parliament in September 2020. Their numbers may have dwindled at the capital’s borders, but their resolve has not.

The agitation, with its scale and strength, has already belied claims that it would fizzle out soon. “There are two options before us. Either to return victorious with the repeal of the laws or sit here till they are,” said farmer union leader B.S. Rawal. “Our resolve has shown that after our delegations went to West Bengal, the political wave changed from pro-Modi to against him. If the prime minister does not listen to our demands, we will go to Uttar Pradesh too.”

Despite calls from various quarters to curtail the agitation in light of the second Covid wave and to get vaccinated, the farmers have largely ignored such suggestions. “We havedone enough to keep our people safe with medicines and immunity building,” said Rajewal.