If this is a democracy, then government should listen to farmers: Harsimrat Kaur Badal

From the day the farm ordinances were introduced to the time they were brought for ministerial comments, I kept raising farmers’ concern. But the government brought the bills without consulting farmers who had grave apprehensions about them. I kept saying that these should not be implemented unless farmers’ grievances were fully addressed. Even state governments had concerns. For months I tried to bring farmers’ issues to the government’s notice before deciding to resign.

We had demanded that the bills be sent to a select committee and the issues be addressed but these were passed by voice vote. We were told that all concerns would be looked into before the bills were passed. I was reaching out to farmers and fixing meetings with the prime minister, finance minister and the agriculture minister. Our party president even wrote to the government to maintain the minimum support price. Finally, when it was clear that no changes were made to the laws, the battle lines were drawn. Now it is convenient for them to say that I was the one facilitating talks with farmers. The fact remains that our party had clearly listed all apprehensions and raised the issues in writing. I tried to bring farmers’ issues to the fore. But the way the bills were passed by voice vote on the back of sheer numbers was appalling.

At least 15 people have lost their lives during the agitation and the government has been insensitive towards farmers. The very fact that the government is now open to amendment shows the laws are flawed. The problem lies in their attitude — either their way or the highway.


Poor farmers and farmer unions have managed to put the government in a corner — and it has no answers. The government is calling the laws pro-farmer when the farmers themselves are saying they did not ask for it. Who asked for it? Which farmer union did they consult? The government has no answers. What is their feedback system? They did not consult the tallest farmer leader, Parkash Singh Badalji, and instead used water cannon and tear gas on farmers as if they are enemies of the state because they could use all the force from Haryana. They plan to tire the farmers out and eventually call them terrorists, Khalistanis and all sorts of names. They are trying every trick in their book. Today they are calling the agitation a bicholia (middlemen) ka andolan. Are farmers bicholia for them? This has become a bicholia’s government as they are not allowing MSP which is anyway decided by the government to sustain the farmers. The government is now encouraging middle men who will now buy crops from farmers at a cheaper price. This way they are pushing farmers towards suicide.

When Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) raised the issues with the PM, it fell on deaf ears. Now, when the nation is shaken, they are forced to listen. Forcing the farmers to come to the streets was highly avoidable especially when we are fighting a pandemic. Now the government is agreeing to all the suggestions I was raising from the start. But it’s too late. Now the entire nation has joined them. Every farmer deserves the right to dignity of MSP. After Emergency this is the biggest jan andolan. People who are our annadata are asking for bare minimum support, but the government is denying even that. If this is a democracy, it is the government’s duty to listen to them. Let’s not behave like a dictator.

(As told to Prerna Katiyar)