The Modi government has made a strategic move towards resolving the stalemate which continues to persist between it and the protesting farmers who are camping on the borders of Delhi. The farmers, in absence of their demand for the repeal of the three farm reforms being met, have been gearing up to hog international limelight by putting up a show of strength on the borders of Delhi and the capital’s periphery on January 26 by organising a “tractor parade”. Cognisant of all such efforts to defame India internationally, the Modi government has proposed staying the implementation of the three-farm reforms for a period of one and a half to two years.
The Modi government also proposed to submit an affidavit in the Supreme Court for suspending the three laws for a mutually-agreed period and set up a committee. The said committee will deliberate upon the issues raised by the farmers during the said period and come up with a report, including on MSP, which the Centre will then accept. Now, if the farmers’ unions were to reject this proposal as well, it would effectively mean the end of the road for any negotiation between them and the Centre.
Already, the NIA has begun probing over 40 individuals in the Sikhs for Justice case, even as the agency also keeps tabs on Khalistani elements who have infiltrated the protests. If the farmers were to reject this large-hearted proposal of the Modi government, it would almost have a moral authority of sorts to deal with the agitations in a manner they deem fit.
Anybody can guess that the Modi government’s patience with the agitators is now wearing thin, and the unions might not receive any audience from the government if the present offer by them were to be rejected.
Leave alone a complete repeal of the laws, a rejection of the said proposal would also mean that any and all progress made by the two sides until now would go down the drain, which includes the government agreeing to repeal the law on stubble burning and the electricity bill amendment. Simultaneously, the Modi government would also take to dealing with the protestors in a manner it deems fit.
Already, early signs from the unions’ camp seem to be indicative of the fact that the Centre’s proposal is most likely to be rejected by them. To the same effect, Darshan Pal of the Krantikari Kisan Union said, “Government has said tractor parade on R-Day can’t be conducted on Delhi’s Outer Ring Road, due to security reasons. We’re clear that we’ll conduct tractor parade there only. After tomorrow’s meeting with the Centre, we’ll hold another meeting with the police.” Rest assured, if the proposal was anywhere close to being accepted, such statements would not be made.
The message of the Modi government is crystal clear – there must be some reciprocation by the protesting unions as well, which is only fair when two conflicting sides sit down for negotiations. So far, the farmers have simply refused to abandon their maximalist stance and engage towards resolution with the Centre in good faith. Now, the government’s proposal being rejected by the unions will have only one end – which won’t be good for those camping on the borders of Delhi.
The Modi government, with its latest proposal, has sought to convey to the farmers’ unions that if they are true patriots and not Khalistani agents – they must walk a step further and accept the concessions being offered by the Centre. If they fail to do so, it would become amply clear that their motivations are not inclined with the national interest, but are instead driven by ulterior motives aimed at stoking chaos in the country in the name of protests.
It is only fair for the farmers’ unions to be given a chance too, to show that they are seeking resolution and not unending anarchy. If the farmers are not driven by Khalistani motivations, they would definitely accept the Centre’s proposal. If not, their reality will be lain bare before the people of the country. The government’s move will also get the farmers thinking among themselves, as those who are genuinely worried and are looking for a settlement of the issue will most definitely come forward to accept the proposal. This will help the Modi government identify Khalistani elements involved in the protests because all those who choose to opt-out of the latest proposal are anything but farmers.