Govt should listen to farmers’ demands and suspend controversial Farm Laws

The intensity of the farmer's protest against the Farm laws, the anger and alienation that we see in their eyes foretell a story of unprecedented internal unrest.

Any democratic government responsive to public sensitivities would have averted this wholly avoidable situation through early and meaningful discussion with the protesting farmers. Instead, the government resorted to tear gas and water cannons on a cold November night against the nation’s defenders and “feeders.”

The reaction of a muscular State against peaceful protesters is also a brazen violation of their fundamental right to peacefully protest against injustice. The first principles of democracy are under siege as is the dignity and liberty of farmers.

The writing on the wall is clear. If not urgently resolved to the satisfaction of farmers, the situation could become ugly and the protest irreversible. Such a result could prove a grave threat to internal stability and security of the nation.

Without standing on prestige, the Cental Govt should suspend the operation of controversial laws and respect the sentiments of the community for whose benefit the laws are stated to have been passed.

It is indeed a strange situation where the ostensible beneficiaries of laws believe that the laws are in fact detrimental to their interests and yet these are being imposed on them. The felt sensitivities of the nation are with the farmers, which demand that the farm laws be rolled back ..Surely, in free India, we don't want a “Pagri sambhal jatta moment” which will be a shame for our democracy.