19 November marked a new chapter in the history of Indian politics and democratic structure. Just as the world observed the 552nd birth anniversary of the first Sikh Guru, Shri Guru Nanak Dev Ji, after a struggle of more than a year and 700+ deaths, Prime Minister Narendra Modi finally came out in public and apologized for his mistake. We saw the Modi government roll back a law for the first time ever! The 3 agricultural laws that attracted protests from farmers all around the country, were repealed and history was re-written!
The protest was special in every sense. It reawakened a sense of strength, positivity, belief and trust among the citizens of India and made them feel empowered. To celebrate this historic win of democracy,
Here Are Some Memorable Moments From The Farmers’ Protest 2020-21:
5 June 2020 – 24 September 2020
5 June 2020 was the first instance the 3 agricultural laws were promulgated by the government. The ordinance was brought in Parliament on 14 September, 2020 and was passed in Lok Sabha on 17 September, 2020. Shortly after, it was also passed in Rajya Sabha on 20 September, 2020 by the way of voice vote.
25 September 2020
The All India Kisan Sangharsh Coordination Committee (AIKSCC) called out for a nationwide protest by the farmers. The farmers responded to their demand and ‘The Farmers’ Protest’ that would go on to make history, began. A day later, Shiromani Akali Dal quit the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance in protest against the farm laws.
26 November, 2020
In response to a call given a day ago by the Farmers’ Union of Punjab & Haryana, farmers all around the country started marching towards the nation’s capital, Delhi, even after the government denied them permission to do so keeping in mind the COVID protocols. The movement was given the name ‘Delhi Chalo movement’. Farmers marching peacefully towards Delhi were welcomed with water cannons, barricades and tear gases by the Haryana Police.
28 November, 2020
The farmers successfully reached Delhi borders and started setting up their permanent protesting sites. Union Minister Amit Shah offers to talk with the farmers if they vacate Delhi borders and move to the designated protest site in Burari. However, Farmers refused to move from the borders.
3 December, 2020
The first round of talks between the farmer union leaders and the government was held. The farmers put forward their simple and clear demand ‘Repeal all the 3 farm laws’ while the government refused to do so. The meeting ended up inconclusive. This went on for more than 12 rounds of talks between the farmers and the government and all of them ended up as inconclusive!
13 December, 2020
Union Minister Ravi Shankar alleged that a ‘Tukde Tukde’ gang is behind the farmers’ protest. This started a ‘defaming the farmers’ protest’ series around the country. The media started labelling farmers as ‘Khalistanis’ and allege that the protest is funded by foreign forces who want to break India into pieces. Farmers were often referred to as ‘terrorists’ in the media.
26 January, 2021
As announced earlier by the Samyukt Kisaan Ekta Morcha, the farmers conduct a historical ‘Tractor Rally’ in the country’s capital, corresponding to the Republic Day parade. Farmers were given a designated route around the borderline of Delhi but when the Tractor rally began, a series of violence erupted. The protest that had been praised for being one of the biggest yet the most peaceful, was bashed by Indian media and termed as ‘a violent protest’. The situation worsened when hundreds of farmers entered Red Fort and one of them climbed up on an empty post and hoisted ‘Nishan Sahib’, a religious Sikh symbol, on it. Rumours were spread that the farmers hoisted ‘Khalistani flag’ on the post. The violence attracted a lot of criticism for the protest and the government sent in their troops to remove the farmers from the protest sites. The speaker of the Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) became emotional seeing the protest breaking up and videos of him crying for the sake of the protest went viral. The protest, that had almost reached its end, was ignited once again! Deep Sidhu, a Punjabi actor and Lakha Sidhana were blamed for leading the farmers to Red Fort and spreading violence.
6 February, 2021
The protesting farmers called for a nationwide strike called ‘Chakka Jam’ and blocked roads all around the country from 12-3pm.
5 June, 2021
The protesting farmers observe ‘Sampoorn Krantikari Diwas’ (Total Revolution Day) on the 1 year anniversary of the promulgation of the 3 farm laws.
5 September, 2021
The farmers held a massive display of strength at Muzaffarnagar called ‘Kisan Mahapanchayat’. 27 September was declared as the day to observe a ‘Bharat Bandh’.
3 October, 2021
Union Minister Ashish Mishra’s son allegedly rammed his speeding vehicle over peacefully protesting farmers in Lakhimpur Kheri, killing and injuring many on the spot. The video went viral and attracted public criticism. The protestors demanded arrest of the minister’s son after violence erupt at the incident site, resulting in deaths of many,
19 November, 2021
The words that millions of people all around the world had been dying to hear, were finally announced! As the world observed Gurpurab on the 552nd Birth Anniversary of Shri Guru Nanak Dev Ji, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the nation and publicly apologized for the government’s mistake. He declared that the government will finally repeal all the 3 farm laws. Rakesh Tikait declared that the farmers will only end the protest after the government officially repealed the laws. A wave of celebrations began in Delhi and all over the world.
The protest marked a historic step in India’s development. Hundreds of artists helped keep the protest alive by way of songs, cartoons, blogs, articles, movies, short videos, speeches and what not! Every single person who hoisted Kisani flags on their cars, tractors, bikes, who put stickers over their vehicles to support the protest and raise their voice, deserves this win. It set an example for the world that if the protest is for the cause of good, nothing can stop you from winning!
Kisan Mazdoor Ekta Zindabad!
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