What’s Happening in the Protests The farmers are peacefully protesting in Delhi. They have set makeshift homes in tractors, trailers and tents. It is apparent that they are not leaving without an answer, as the implications of this negotiation, or lack thereof, changes the face of the agriculture industry completely. There has been no destruction to property and instead protestors are keeping the city clean through picking up after themselves. They have also helped local homeless individuals through feeding them through the langar seva. During these protests, the worldwide community has gathered to feed these protestors at no cost and through volunteerism, a solid langar system. Volunteers have also set up schooling for the kids present in the Delhi protest, alongside handing out additional necessities such as blankets and shoes for the cold weather. International Impact Internationally, people of Indian descent are supporting people back home through rallies to show the implications of these bills. Some people are not sure what raising awareness and representation in country’s outside of India will do. The answer is quite simple. This protects and shows solidarity with our farmers back home. In no means are we even close to experiencing what the farmer’s back in Punjab and the other states are going through however, this is a way for us to tell them that we hear them and we are standing with them. By raising awareness, we are also urging country’s to cover the matter to ensure that there is a greater light shed on the issue. This is our way to ensure that we are doing what we can to protect our farmers. Evidence of this impact was also witnessed when India wanted to speak to Canada’s ambassador regarding the comments made by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, where he stood up for the farmer’s right to peacefully protest. This act alone is evidence that India is being pressured by how its international reputation is being viewed. So, let’s not stay silent, if not for our sake, then for the sake of our farmers back home. How you can support the movement
Continue to educate yourself on the movement. Thanks to social media, we are able to hear the voices of the oppressed. With the Indian media shadow-banning and releasing biased reports suggesting ulterior motives for the protests, it’s up to us to ensure we set the record straight. The Punjabi music industry has also stepped up to make songs to educate individuals about the cause, by incorporating the history of these lands through their lyrics. There are also many organizations who are donating money to farmers during the protests to stay safe. An organization I personally support is Khalsa Aid and they have been accepting e-transfers and using the funds to take care and support the farmers who are sacrificing their lives by leaving their homes and marching to the protest in Delhi. Conclusion Suicide has been a sad and a more increasing reality for Punjab farmers, it has increased by 12 times over the last five years. Poor working conditions coupled with the lack of government support has devastated the livelihood of these farmers. These farmers are already struggling to take care of their lands with the lack of support and the unfair rates the government grants them for their crops. With little to no choice, the farmers take up large loans but without any way to pay them off, they get buried in debt which has been correlated to the increase in suicide rates for these farmers. Instead of the government creating laws to support them (as it currently exists in many Western nations) they have chosen to introduce bills that continue to threaten their well-being and only benefit corporate interests. With these laws, it is only a matter of time until the farmer's way of life in India worsens. Farmers feed the world and it’s time we feed them the respect and the support that they deserve. Because if there are no farmers, there’s no food. By: Karen Randhawa and Sukhdeep Kullar Comments are closed.
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