Farmers’ Rights Matter

This is in response to the letter titled “Upholding the Farmers’ Protest” (EPW, 12 December 2020). It has rightly affirmed the farmers’ sentiment beyond the politics of the day which undisputedly flouted the parliamentary standards and dignity by invariably giving the bargaining power to the corporate players. Such an authoritative approach has emphatically hampered the constitutional conditions of procedure established by law (Article 21) by not meeting the test of reasonableness. In the given circumstances, the ongoing agitation by the farming community has fearlessly questioned the controversial farm laws to secure a rightful culture of discussion and consultation to be adopted on the floor of the house. This process will act as an opportunity for the parliamentarians to interact with mindful experts and stakeholders through the fora of various committees of Parliament.

Agriculture is a state subject of the Constitution. But, an exclusive right has been given to the centre to exercise its sole power within the state list. Time and again, these states have been debatably pushed back by the union to exercise its constitutional governance within the existing model of cooperative federalism. It is time to realise the importance of Indian farmers, on whose toil this nation runs. Pushing them in the complex havoc of bureaucratic and legal mechanisms can further enhance their distress. Not only this, it has also incarcerated their personal liberty to assemble peacefully without arms (Article 19 [1] [b]) to protest and express their democratic dissent. This has ubiquitously affected their fundamental right (Part 3) and the specified state duties as mandated by the Constitution.