'Absurd, annual extortion tourism...' Social media users slam farmers' protests 2.0

Protesting farmers embarked on their 'Delhi Chalo' march on Tuesday, aiming to compel the Centre to address their pressing demands, with the enactment of a law guaranteeing a minimum support price (MSP) for crops topping the list. MSP is considered a vital safety net for farmers grappling with market uncertainties. Amidst the clamour for MSP, other contentious issues include the repeal of the Electricity Act 2020, compensation for farmers involved in the Lakhimpur Kheri incident, and the withdrawal of cases against participants in the farmers' movement. While discussions ensued into the early hours, farmers assert that promises made by the government two years ago remain unfulfilled, underpinning their determination to continue the agitation.

Also Read: ‘Azad Punjab…’ Video of Khalistani agenda emerges amidst farmer protests (WATCH)

Prominent farmer leaders, including Samyukta Kisan Morcha's Jagjit Singh Dallewal and Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee's Sarwan Singh Pandher, have expressed scepticism regarding the government's sincerity in addressing the broader spectrum of demands.

However, amidst the ongoing agitation, certain demands have sparked debate over the potential politicization of the movement. One such demand pertains to the implementation of the Fifth Schedule of the Constitution and safeguarding tribal rights.

The Fifth Schedule of the Indian Constitution outlines provisions concerning the administration and control of Scheduled Areas and Scheduled Tribes. It encompasses ten states, including Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Rajasthan, and Telangana.

The criteria for declaring an area as a "Scheduled Area" under the Fifth Schedule include a predominant tribal population, compactness and reasonable size of the area, establishment of a viable administrative entity such as a district, block, or taluk, and economic backwardness relative to neighboring areas.

Social media users and political analysts are wondering why the demand for implementing the 5th schedule of the Constitution is emerging from farmers in Punjab and Haryana. As per the 2011 Census, Punjab and Haryana have been classified as the states with the lowest population of Scheduled Tribe population in the country (between 0 to 0.5 percentage).

Social media users are also questions demands like India should come out of the World Trade Organisation agreements and pension of Rs 10,000 per month for farmers and farm labourers above 58 years of age. Some claimed a definite foreign hand while questioning the timing of the protests. Others claimed that Opposition parties like the Congress have instigated the farmers to stage protests against the Centre.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Also Read: Farmers Protests 2.0: 'Poor' farmers with Mercedes-Benz G-Wagons, monster tractors raise doubts (WATCH)

Also Read: 'Wrong to put Annadata in jail': Arvind Kejriwal-led AAP snubs Centre, backs farmers