The movement began in September 2020, following the adoption of legislation to liberalize the agricultural sector. The agricultural sector still has a significant influence on the Indian economy. Agricultural production is mainly local, in small farms, outside the agri-food industries. Income from this activity is essential to the population. Laws that are problematic for farmers and the Indian people are aimed at removing the burdens of farmers in India. If this may seem positive at first reading, these measures have perverse effects directly impacting the Indian population. The suspension of charges makes the Indian land a real paradise for large agrifood companies wishing to increase their profits. The latter come to establish themselves in India, to the detriment of small Indian farms. In addition to the withdrawal of “farm bills” laws, also called “anti-farmer”, Indian demonstrators are demanding numerous social measures, such as financial aid for the poorest families, universal coverage for workers, a minimum wage or a greater allocation of GDP to the education and health sector. They also propose and demand urgent measures to contain price increases in the country. The protests began in August, at the initiative of farmers. The trade unions, agricultural and other, are regrouping and organizing quickly and the mobilization is growing, especially in the state of Punjab and Haryana, where the agricultural sector is important. The trade unions call for a “bharat bandh” (literally “close India”), which amounts to a call for a general strike. In the state of Punjab, a blockage of the rails is put in place but the demonstrators are victims of their success : the blockage of the rails is held so long and so effectively that the population fears that resources will run out. The action was halted in October and the trade unions and farmers call to join the capital, New Delhi. On 25 November, the demonstrators arrived at the gates of New Delhi, but the security forces were already there. They use tear gas and water cannon to repel the demonstrators and go so far as to damage the roads to prevent their entry into the capital. Following these events, the government wants to establish a dialogue with the trade union leaders and dedicates a neighborhood of the capital (far from the parliament) to the demonstrations. Some of the demonstrators accept this compromise and manifest in the area dedicated to the movement but another party refuses this system, remains on the outskirts of the city and blocks the roads. 50 agricultural unions are on strike, as are many other workers’ unions. Some opponents (political figures) have been locked up in their homes by the police.
On November 29, 2021, the laws are removed : the movement is victorious. The farmers leave the camps around New Delhi and the activists celebrate their victory. Nevertheless, some farmers qualify their victory : if they have won the battle against this law, they have not yet won the war against the progressive degradation of the Indian agricultural world and for a better living condition.
On November 29, 2021, the laws are removed : the movement is victorious. The farmers leave the camps around New Delhi and the activists celebrate their victory. Nevertheless, some farmers qualify their victory : if they have won the battle against this law, they have not yet won the war against the progressive degradation of the Indian agricultural world and for a better living condition.
The movement was relayed massively in the media on a global scale, described as “the biggest strike in history”. In many countries there are demonstrations of support for the Indian people. The UN intervened on 5 December to remind the Indian government of the need to allow challenges and to respect the right to express opposition.
Participants : up to 250 millions (on 26 november 2020)
Deaths : 537
Situation
International reactions
Key figures
Situation
The movement began in September 2020, following the adoption of legislation to liberalize the agricultural sector. The agricultural sector still has a significant influence on the Indian economy. Agricultural production is mainly local, in small farms, outside the agri-food industries. Income from this activity is essential to the population. Laws that are problematic for farmers and the Indian people are aimed at removing the burdens of farmers in India. If this may seem positive at first reading, these measures have perverse effects directly impacting the Indian population. The suspension of charges makes the Indian land a real paradise for large agrifood companies wishing to increase their profits. The latter come to establish themselves in India, to the detriment of small Indian farms. In addition to the withdrawal of “farm bills” laws, also called “anti-farmer”, Indian demonstrators are demanding numerous social measures, such as financial aid for the poorest families, universal coverage for workers, a minimum wage or a greater allocation of GDP to the education and health sector. They also propose and demand urgent measures to contain price increases in the country. The protests began in August, at the initiative of farmers. The trade unions, agricultural and other, are regrouping and organizing quickly and the mobilization is growing, especially in the state of Punjab and Haryana, where the agricultural sector is important. The trade unions call for a “bharat bandh” (literally “close India”), which amounts to a call for a general strike. In the state of Punjab, a blockage of the rails is put in place but the demonstrators are victims of their success : the blockage of the rails is held so long and so effectively that the population fears that resources will run out. The action was halted in October and the trade unions and farmers call to join the capital, New Delhi. On 25 November, the demonstrators arrived at the gates of New Delhi, but the security forces were already there. They use tear gas and water cannon to repel the demonstrators and go so far as to damage the roads to prevent their entry into the capital. Following these events, the government wants to establish a dialogue with the trade union leaders and dedicates a neighborhood of the capital (far from the parliament) to the demonstrations. Some of the demonstrators accept this compromise and manifest in the area dedicated to the movement but another party refuses this system, remains on the outskirts of the city and blocks the roads. 50 agricultural unions are on strike, as are many other workers’ unions. Some opponents (political figures) have been locked up in their homes by the police.
On November 29, 2021, the laws are removed : the movement is victorious. The farmers leave the camps around New Delhi and the activists celebrate their victory. Nevertheless, some farmers qualify their victory : if they have won the battle against this law, they have not yet won the war against the progressive degradation of the Indian agricultural world and for a better living condition.
International reactions
The movement was relayed massively in the media on a global scale, described as “the biggest strike in history”. In many countries there are demonstrations of support for the Indian people. The UN intervened on 5 December to remind the Indian government of the need to allow challenges and to respect the right to express opposition.
Key figures
Participants : up to 250 millions (on 26 november 2020)
Deaths : 537
Last update : 06/01/2022
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