9th of January 2021 #SarbatSocial on #FarmerProtests

First published on 31 Jan 2021.

On 9th January 2021, we held our first #SarbatSocial with a discussion on the Farmer Protests in India. Sarbat were lucky to have a special guest, Navyug Gill a Professor of History and Specialist in Agrarian Studies, join us to provide an understanding of the history and context of the agricultural sector in Punjab, Haryana and wider India.

There was a healthy discussion about the impact of the proposed land reforms and new legislation on farmers, as well as the impact on the protesters of spending many weeks and months in the bitter cold of Northern India’s winter.   

There was discussion about the Swaminathan Commission, which was set up in 2004, had published 5 reports between 2004 and 2006, however all successive governments have failed to take forward the recommendations made by the Commission. It was reassuring to hear of the empowerment of youth, young people, elderly people, women and others who are becoming more politically active.  

You can hear more from Navyug on The One Podcast with Shabad. We look forward to inviting Navyug back again soon for another #SarbatSocial.