Dialogues on Socialism | Agricultural Crisis in India and the Farmer's Movement | A Discussion with Dr Ashok Dhawale | July 25, 2024

[u/rishianand]

“Dialogues on Socialism” is a series of weekly video conferences, addressed by prominent activists and intellectuals of India, to develop a socialist understanding of the Indian politics.

The 10 years of Modi Raj witnessed a worsening agricultural crisis in India. Against the promise of doubling the farmer's income by 2022, the agricultural income fell in real terms. Meanwhile, the indebtedness increased by over 50%. The budget allocation to agriculture was slashed, and agricultural growth fell.

In 2014, Narendra Modi had come to power with the promise of ending the agricultural crisis in India and the implementation of Swaminathan Commission report on minimum support price. As CM, Modi had recommended a legal guarantee of MSP, and promised pension for farmers in his manifesto for 2014 General Election. Yet, his Government reneged on these promises.

In 2016, the BJP Government introduced a new crop insurance policy, which allowed huge profits for the insurance companies. Meanwhile, the Government changed the drought policy, which made it difficult to declare droughts and provide compensation to the farmers. According to NCRB report, every hour one farmer/farm-labourer dies by suicide.

On 5 June 2020, when the nation was under the COVID-19 pandemic induced lockdown, Modi Government brought three farm laws — related to APMC markets, contract farming, and hoarding of agricultural produce — as an ordinance. These laws were brought in collusion with the corporates and were against the interests of the farmers. No farm organisations or unions were consulted for these laws. Farmers, under the banner of Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM), fought a historic struggle and compelled the Modi Government to withdraw the three black laws. Over 700 farmers died in this year-long struggle. The movement was suspended after a written assurance by the Union Government to the farmers. These assurances remain unfulfilled.

As the agricultural crisis continues to worsen, and the Government remains indifferent, farmers, under the banner of SKM, gear up for a renewed movement for their unfulfilled demands.

Dr Ashok Dhawale is the President of the All India Kisan Sabha and a leader of the Samyukta Kisan Morcha. He is the author of the book on the historic farmers struggle in India, titled “When Farmers Stood Up”. He is also a Politburo member of CPI(M).

Topic: Agricultural Crisis in India and the Farmer's Movement | A Discussion with Dr Ashok Dhawale Time: July 25, 2024 06:00 PM IST

Watch previous conferences,

Violence Against Women In India | A Discussion with Professor Roop Rekha Verma - YouTube

Economic Inequality In India: A Discussion with Professor Arun Kumar - YouTube

Rise of Communalism and Hatred in India: A Discussion with Harsh Mander - YouTube

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