In recent months, India has introduced 3 new agriculture bills privatizing the farming industry, and ending price support for key crops such as wheat and rice. In response to the bills, farmers from across India, specifically Punjab and Haryana, are protesting in Delhi to pressure the Modi administration to repeal the laws. Petitioners approached the Supreme Court in attempt to remove the protesters from the streets, claiming they were blocking roadways in the city. The Supreme Court denied their request, recognizing that it is the farmers’ right to protest, however stating that the protest should not otherwise hinder the civilians of the city. Additionally, the Supreme Court has requested that the government and unions form committees of experts in order to reach a compromise, subsequently ending the weeks long protest effort. After 6 rounds of attempted mediation, the talks are still at a standstill – the government has proposed amendment of the laws, while the farmers call for total repealment.
The movement in India is certainly significant, as agriculture comprises 15% of the total economy, and that India is the world’s largest democracy. The third law specifically calls attention to India’s level of democracy, as it directly restrains citizens from addressing disputes regarding the regulation of agriculture with the courts. Farmers feel that they will be at the mercy of the large conglomerates without the traditional method of selling. Analyzing the current dissent on a domestic level, the introduction of the laws was not the sole reason for the uprising. The Indian agricultural sector has been facing deep issues for a long time, which were only exacerbated by the pandemic. Farmer debt and suicide rates have skyrocketed in recent years, and the introduction of the new laws only bring more concern for the future of the farming livelihood.