Why Have Thousands of Indian Farmers Taken to the Streets in Protest?
Three new agriculture laws were passed in September, aiming to loosen or remove sale, pricing and storage regulations by encouraging farmers to sell directly to firms.
These regulations have protected farmers for past decades.
Thousands of farmers fear that the new bills will make them more vulnerable to exploitation by large firms.
Why Are the Laws Unpopular?
The laws aim to increase the growth of the agricultural sector by having private firms investing in Indian agriculture. Previously, farmers would sell their crops at the Minimum Support Price (MSP), the lowest price at which crops can be sold.
However, the laws propose the removal of the MSP, which could result in firms exploiting farmers by purchasing their crops at prices significantly below the MSP. This could lead to a reduction in earnings for farmers.
The ways in which they were passed were also met with opposition. The ruling party refused to extend debate for the bills, preventing MPs from discussing and improving them.
Furthermore, a voice vote was conducted rather than a physical ballot. The latter would have been more accurate as it would allow MPs to vote. However, the voice vote was unclear, so it was challenging to determine whether the BJP gained sufficient votes to pass the laws.
Written by Marilyn Hartono
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