What
will hurt a system most? The system being inefficient? The system
being corrupt? The system being broken? System fallen into anarchy?
None of these things, I believe! But the system being unconscious, insensitive to the changes happening in itself; the negative feedback mechanism of the system being inefficient. If this is one thing wrong
with the system, no other kind of perfection, or efficiency can save
that system.
That
was my biggest worry amidst the recent developments in India on the
political front, amidst of developments regarding land acquisition act, labor laws, the “Development” talk and the new-born
intolerance being fed and forced on to the community which is
specifically known for it's unbound tolerance; the worry that if so
much comfort have came to our lives that the changes around us are
not easily alarming us, that they do not make us feel, “something
needs to be done"; the worry that if our “negative feedback
mechanism” have simply gone into hibernation. When exactly are we going to feel that “now is the time”?
And
this is why, the protest at Delhi by “Kisan Maha Panchayat”, was
something that made me personally very happy. Thousands of farmers
came on the parliament street on 18th March, resolving to
stay put until govt engages them in a dialogue regarding various
pending issues in respect agriculture and farmers. For our amusement,
It did force the govt to stop bringing the “land acquisition bill”
to the floor, which most experts, social activists and farmers
believe not to be in favor of farmers, or of the common citizens of
this country.
Below
is the account of events took place in this protest, during 18th
to 21st March, depicting the spirit of India, compiled
from the facebook wall of Kavitha Kuruganti. Please visit to FB wall
of Kavitha Kuruganti for more details on the issue, media coverage
and other details.
March
18
Update
1:
The
quiet resolve of voiceless farmers to find a solution to long pending
demands and to fight new threats is amazing. 1000s are right now on
Parliament Street in a kisan Maha Panchayat. They will stay put until
govt engages them in a dialogue. Let's see if all political parties
that sought to relaunch themselves in the name of farmers, yesterday,
will rally behind these non - party affiliated food producers of
india.
Update
2:
As
I headed back to my hotel for the night, felt terrible. But when I
heard farmers - men and women - say resolutely that they are ready to
go anywhere, and fight out their issues, there was great hope inside.
A block level leader from Ambedkarnagar district explained that after
all he had taken on his post of being a leader because he has a
responsibility to discharge and resolve farmers' problems. I thought,
my god, will our politicians ever feel this accountable or
responsible? Sometimes, it is just a matter of being able to catalyse
this force, this urge of citizens to claim their due rights, this
urge of humans to give themselves dignity that will transform things
for the better. Like I said, we will wait to see if @pmoindia will
have a chai pe charcha and mann ki baat with these citizens of India
who are only looking for dignity, right to livelihood and decent
incomes. For rural India to be kept alive.
Update
3:
Here's
some coverage of the first day of the protest....a wire story.
Update
4:
Apart
from the issues being fought for in this kisan maha panchayat, good
to see that men are partaking in the cooking process...; in the
morning, there was a little girl who sang about the need to save the
girl child followed by a farmer union leader urging everyone to
uphold the value of girl children. Good to see that the discourse is
not limited to prices or
land.http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/…/fa…/article7007973.ece
March
19
Update
1:
Air
chai pe charcha?
Update
2:
From
Anantha Saynan:
Thanks Kavitha
Kuruganti for
being there and updating us as well as pitching in heavily out
there..
That 'resolve' of a block level leader is amazing and that is what is missing from most politicians..
wish the Govt (read PMO India - Narendra Modi ) listens to those 1000s of farmers and doesnot add to their burdens..
It is important to note that society and Government shud never push farmers to come to street and protest.. after all they are our anna dattas..
and they have a 24X7 and 365 days tasks in their fields..this absence can result in major losses for them..how sad:-(
and to push them to come off it and protest is a shame on humanity..
That 'resolve' of a block level leader is amazing and that is what is missing from most politicians..
wish the Govt (read PMO India - Narendra Modi ) listens to those 1000s of farmers and doesnot add to their burdens..
It is important to note that society and Government shud never push farmers to come to street and protest.. after all they are our anna dattas..
and they have a 24X7 and 365 days tasks in their fields..this absence can result in major losses for them..how sad:-(
and to push them to come off it and protest is a shame on humanity..
Update
3:
Great,
fresh and patient energy evident on day 2 morn. We should not leave
the panchayat until the issues are resolved, farmers are telling each
other. A woman farmer leader said that we have to die somewhere on
this earth some day. Why not die here in delhi, the country's
capital, fighting for our rights? Loud applause and endorsement from
everyone here. Ones who have other time scales, other than what urban
rat race has taught us, sit patiently and resolutely....let's see if
this nation's political leaders pick up these farmers' life and death
matters.
Update
4:
Parliament
street becomes home for thousands. Women dry colourful saris here
this morn. Micro enterprise springs up at the back of the maha
panchayat. Chai pe charcha, abt govt's anti-farmer attitude when
people sit huddled here and there...
Update
5:
The
super efficient Anna Daatas of india obviously know how to feed
themselves and others! Busy langar right behind the stage
at#KisanMahaPanchayat on
parliament street.
Update
6:
The
lath or a baton of sorts is part of the identity of all members of
BKU in india. Here, a group of women farmers suddenly got charged up
in the crowd and started holding their lath up to assert themselves.
March
20
Update
1:
Day3
of #kisanmahapanchayat continues
with full energy and resolve.
Update
2:
Today,
the sun is out, beating down sharply on #kisanmahapanchayat.
Protestors are finding some shade here and there and waiting
patiently.
Update
3:
Update
4:
A
father proudly dons the farmer union cap on his son's head. If this
child becomes a farmer, he has to be prepared for Sangharsh in what
appears to be an anti - farmer 'developed' world!
Update
5:
On
the third day night, while the parliament session closed for a
recess, it is dinner time here in #kisanmahapanchayat.
On this wide parliament street, from the police station to the end of
the road, protestors choose their best sleeping location for the
night, huddled with friends and family. Saw some police activity and
wonder what they are upto...?
March
21
Update
1:
IF
DELHI DOES NOT GO TO BHARAT....a front page story in
Telegraph.
Update
2:
There
is of course a hot debate underway about our development model, about
the future of agriculture, about the models of farming to adopt etc.
etc., inside and outside of the
parliament....
Update
3:
Via
Aparna Krishnan:
The
village people are sitting like beggars in their capital city waiting
for a hearing. Were the people of the
city
to go to their villages, they would be welcomed, spoken to, fed.
Mr.
Prime Minister, that is Indian tradition.
Update
4:
It's
New Year Day for many in india. For 1000s of farmers
in#kisanmahapanchayat on
parliament street, delhi, Day 4 of their protest begins slowly. Now
that parliament has moved into a recess, will the govt have time to
listen to them? Let's see....
Update
5:
Holding
the farmer union flag up! All of them come wearing proudly their
green caps, pagdis, shawls and badges. Sit with their lathis and
flags. Inevitably respond to slogan shouting. And keep each other's
spirits up.
Update
6:
One
speaker is saying, "don't think you didn't obtain anything here.
No, you know for a fact now that this govt is anti farmer. Let's go
share this info with everyone back home. This is what we have
obtained by coming here. They say modi became PM almost by direct
voting by citizens. If we could do that then, we also know how to
remove him".
Update
7:
Pics
of the protest are being used by the media quite a bit. But no
resolution in sight as half a day passes on 21st too, fourth day
of #kisanmahapanchayat.
Update
8:
Lunch
time. Hot day. Can you beat the patience of those who constantly work
on Nature's time scales? #kisanmahapanchayat.
Update
9:
#KisanMahaPanchayat to
march to Rashtrapati Bhawan on Land acquisition ordinance/bill. At
3.30 pm this afternoon.
Update
10:
There
was a change in plan at the last minute with regard to the march! A
delegation went to Rashtrapati Bhawan to submit a memorandum.
Protestors will disperse now - speakers warning the govt that they
will return if the government makes any moves to bring back any
anti-farmer land acquisition related ordinance or bill.
Update
11:
Speakers
at the fag end of the #KisanMahaPanchayat tell
Modi that farmers who have come to his doorstep have been insulted by
him - that they will be forced to remember this. They are telling him
that he will be forced to come back to the villages of India sooner
or later and they do know what to do then!
Update
12:
Langar
at #kisanmahapanchayat dishes
out a halwa at the end of fourth day. Protestors still sitting here
and listening to rousing speeches which are full of dignity as well
as anger.
March
22
The
news in Jagran, as the protest stops on day 4:
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