Farmers across India are intensifying their struggle against what they see as the central government’s attempts to corporatize agriculture and suppress democratic dissent. Under the banner of the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM), or United Farmers Front, thousands of farmers will hold nationwide protests on March 28, demanding an end to the ongoing repression against their movement and the fulfillment of long-standing agrarian demands.
Farmers Resist Corporate Encroachment
The government, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has been accused of pushing pro-corporate agricultural policies despite widespread opposition. Farmers argue that the state is actively working in favor of large agribusinesses and financial institutions like the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank, instead of protecting the interests of India’s agricultural workers.
Their primary demands include:
- Repealing the National Policy Framework on Agriculture Marketing (NPFAM), which they claim is an attempt to reintroduce the core provisions of the farm laws that were repealed after the 2020-21 protests.
- A legally guaranteed Minimum Support Price (MSP) based on the C2+50% formula (total cost plus 50% profit), ensuring farmers receive fair compensation for their crops.
- Increased state procurement for all agricultural produce, preventing the dominance of private corporations in agricultural markets.
- Comprehensive debt relief for farmers and agricultural workers to address the crisis of farmer suicides.
State Crackdown on Protesting Farmers
Despite their peaceful approach, farmers allege that the government is using repressive tactics to silence dissent. On March 19, police forces in Punjab dismantled protest camps and arrested hundreds of farmers, including prominent SKM leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal, who was on an indefinite hunger strike demanding a legal MSP.
Similar crackdowns have taken place in Chandigarh, where hundreds more were detained, signaling a broader attempt to curb organized resistance. Farmers assert that such measures only fuel greater mobilization and deepen their resolve to fight for their rights.
A History of Broken Promises
The Modi-led government had previously promised to withdraw criminal cases against farmers who participated in the historic 2020-21 protests. However, many of these cases remain unresolved, and activists argue that the state has instead intensified its repression through mass arrests, police violence, and bureaucratic roadblocks.
Despite these challenges, the farmers’ movement remains resilient. SKM has called for greater unity among various factions, including breakaway groups like SKM (Non-Political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM), emphasizing that only through collective resistance can they challenge the corporate-driven policies of the government.
Nationwide Mobilization Grows
Beyond Punjab and Haryana, protests are spreading across the country. Farmers in Himachal Pradesh, Bihar, and other states have staged demonstrations demanding land rights, fair crop prices, and an end to exploitative policies. A massive march was recently organized by the All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS) in Shimla, while a three-day sit-in concluded in Patna, underlining the widespread nature of the movement.
Farmers Defend the Right to Protest
SKM has issued a strong warning to both the central and state governments, asserting that attempts to stifle democratic dissent will only strengthen their struggle. The movement argues that protecting the right to protest is crucial not just for farmers, but for all marginalized communities resisting corporate and state oppression.
With mobilizations gaining momentum, Indian farmers are once again proving that their fight is far from over. The state’s attempts to suppress them are met with even greater resistance, reaffirming their commitment to securing a fair and just agricultural system for millions across the country.