In what can be construed as a stern warning to the nefarious intents of Khalistani supporters, the Modi Government has clearly stated that the three farm laws will not be repealed. By this unwavering stance, the Khalistanis, who have been fuelling this agitation and have been using this chaos to further their own interests, have been quietly but firmly shown their place.
Minister for Agriculture Narendra Singh Tomar, Minister for Food and Public Distribution Piyush Goyal and Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Som Prakash participated in the 8th round of talks with the representatives of 41 Farmers’ Unions yesterday. The talks were inconclusive with the farmers are adamant on getting the laws repealed. However, according to sources, the Centre said it “cannot, and will not” repeal the three farm laws.
During the meeting, Tomar said that the Farm Laws have been made keeping in mind the benefits of farmers throughout the country. He also added that the government is concerned about farmers and wants the agitation to end but due to no solutions forthcoming issues could not be resolved. The agriculture minister further said that the government is willing to continue discussions with an open mind if the talks proceed on, the possible solutions can be found in a logical way.
However, the farmers kept insisting on repeal. The government side argued it was ready with amendments and concessions but would not repeal the laws. The Modi government then asked the farmers to move the Supreme Court. Offering an amicable solution, the centre said that if the laws are illegal then the government would repeal them. But if the apex court said that the laws are okay, then they must stop the agitation.
Thus, with central government’s unwavering stance, the farmers can decide if they want to proceed with the talks and arrive amicably with a solution, taking the amendments offered or if they want to move the Supreme Court, risking it all.
This is quite a surprising turn of events, given that the centre until now was extremely involved in pleasing the protestors, bending over backwards to reach a compromise. The farmers on their part took full advantage of the government’s compliant stance.
Not backing down from their own adamancy, the farm groups said they would continue their protest and intensify it and not retreat even if the Supreme Court asked them to end the stir. Fully prepared to disobey the apex court’s orders, Krantikari Kisan Union president Darshan Pal said, “The government wants us to put our case before the Supreme Court asks us to lift the protest, we will not lift the protest and will continue protesting peacefully.”
The national capital is fraught with anti-social elements, purportedly protesting against the three revolutionary farm laws passed by the parliament. While the movement may seem that of farmers fighting for their rights, the entire agitation is fraught with Khalistani elements, and political parties fulfilling vested interests.
From the videos that have been resurfaced, the protesters can be heard issuing threats to Prime Minister Modi, while reminding the public, the assassination of PM Indira Gandhi, and can also be seen praising Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan and hoisting ’Khalistan’ flags in Delhi. In addition to all this, one can also see posters galore of separatist Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale in the protests.
Centre’s proposal is clear, either negotiate with us or go to the court. By this, the Modi government is respecting the constitutional right of the genuine protesters, and along with that, is also showing its intolerance to those with hidden agendas. With the Supreme Court’s intervention, the protests will be exposed for what they are – an empty vessel pushing the agenda of the Khalistanis.
There is no doubt that these Farm Reform Laws are good for the farmers, but if these agitating farmers are hell-bent on throwing ‘kulhadi’ on their feet why not let them exempt from these laws?
No short cuts. No appeasement. The policy decisions need to be firm or else we keep suffering like issues of Article 370 , bad policies etc