The three farm laws -- The Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, The Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement of Price Assurance and Farm Services Act, and The Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act – were passed by the Parliament in September 2020. Several famers’ unions and the opposition criticised the bill stating that the laws if implemented will increase privatisation in the agriculture sector by changing the traditional structure of the Agriculture Produce Market Committee (APMC ) markets, where farmers primarily sell their produce. Photo: Pallav Paliwal.

Farmers mainly from Punjab and Haryana called for a Bharat Bandh on September 25, 2020. This was supported by trade unions, farmers unions and several opposition party members across the country. The Samyukt Kisan Morcha and All India Kisan Sangharsh Coordination Committee coordinated with Bharatiya Kisan Union, All India Kisan Sabha, who formed a major share of the protesting bodies and gathered the smaller unions across the country. Photo: Pallav Paliwal.

The movement started off on a small scale in separate states and intensified by November when there was no response from the government on a dialogue between the two parties. By November end, farmers across the country gathered at the borders surrounding the National Capital region under the Dilli chalo campaign, particularly at the Singhu border and the Tikri border among many other regions. Photo: Pallav Paliwal.

As millions of farmers marched to Delhi by November end, they were met with resistance from the security forces and water cannons meant to stop them from entering the national capital. The farmers, men and women, fixed tents, prepared and distributed food among the protestors and continued the agitation in a deadly cold weather during November and December. The demand was only one—repealing the three farm laws. Photo: Pallav Paliwal.

The farm unions also observed ‘rail roko’ (blocking the trains) protests at several areas for a few hours of the day. By now, the protesting farmers had been facing constant police action. On January 26, during the tractor unions’ parade, violence unfolded in various parts of the Red Fort area. Following the events of the Republic Day, the government constructed metal barricades, walls and fixed iron nails and barbed wires to restrict the farmers’ movement ahead of the borders. The Supreme Court in January ordered a stay on the implementation of the farm laws and the appointed a committee to look into the matter. Photo: Pallav Paliwal.

With social media amplification, mainly through Twitter pages and hashtags, the protests received international attention. Prominent personalities including Greta Thunberg, Rihanna and Mia Khalifa had tweeted in solidarity with the farmers. Several Indian and international rappers and musicians, including released songs in support of the movement. Leaders from UN, UK, US, Pakistan among others expressed concerns over the events unfolding in India. Photo: Pallav Paliwal.

Several activists, prominently Nodeep Kaur and Shiv Kumar, and journalist Mandeep Punia were arrested from the protest sites. The Centre also came down heavily on Twitter and those who ran hashtags about the protests. Climate activist Disha Ravi faced action for sharing a protest toolkit on Twitter. The government also ordered internet shutdowns at several protest sites. Photo: Pallav Paliwal.

The agitation, one of the largest farm movements ever since the ruling party came to power in 2014, caused over 700 lives. By 2020 December, over 41 farmers had reportedly died. While some died due to unfavourable weather conditions at the protest site, several had died in the violent clashes with the police and by suicide at the protest sites. In October 2021, eight farmers were killed after they were run over by Union Minister, Ajay Kumar Mishra’s car during a black flag protest at Uttar Pradesh’s Lakhimpur Kheri. The minister’s son Ajay Mishra, who was driving the car, was arrested. Photo: Pallav Paliwal.