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Farm Talks: Some Signs Of A Thaw

By Sunil Garodia
First publised on 2021-01-15 15:04:16

About the Author

Sunil Garodia Editor-in-Chief of indiacommentary.com. Current Affairs analyst and political commentator. Author of Cyber Scams in India, Digital Arrest, The Money Trap and The Human Hack

Although the ninth round of talks between the Centre and the farm unions ended inconclusively, for the first time, the two sides agreed on something. Both the government and the unions said that they would engage in direct negotiations to end the stalemate. As the government is bound to respect the Supreme Court order, it also said that it will present its views before the court appointed committee if asked to and suggested that the unions do the same, the unions rejected the idea and derisively said that they will not engage through "brokers". Both sides agreed to meet again on January 19.

Although farmer leader Dr Darshanpal said that the talks were "120 percent failure", there were indications from other groups that things were moving in the right direction and although the farmers would not give up their demands or will not wind up their agitation (in fact they are adamant on moving ahead with the tractor rally in Delhi on Republic Day), they were also hopeful of a solution emerging sooner rather than later. Even Dr Darshanpal later said that "there is possibility of some resolution. We are positive." Rakesh Tikait also said that "there is possibility of some solution".

The farmers demanded that the government delete the entire changes it had made to the Essential Commodities Act but the government did not immediately respond to that. Instead, the government asked the farmers to form informal groups of people with knowledge and come up with concrete proposals in the next meeting. If such things can now be discussed between the two, there is a major shift. Although the farmers are still demanding repeal of the laws, one thinks their stance is for putting pressure on the government and for public consumption. One thinks that the unions are now veering around to the view that getting the government to suitably amend the contentious clauses is a better option. One is hopeful of a fast resolution, if not on the 19th then in the next three or four meetings. The Supreme Court committee will then be rendered infructuous. 

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