SKM To Meet In Delhi Today to Discuss Future Activities; Focus on Restarting Farmers’ Protests

The Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM), a farmers' platform opposed to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), will conduct its first discussions in the national capital on Monday to discuss future plans, particularly to relaunch its agitation, after suffering a defeat in the recently ended assembly elections.

While analysts think the SKM has an uphill battle, a member of the group's decision-making council says the farmers' aims aren't limited to a single election cycle, despite the fact that the group fought to defeat the BJP in Uttar Pradesh.

The BJP quelled a major farmers' movement in Uttar Pradesh, handily gaining re-election despite a reduced vote total. The results of elections in India's most populous state are thought to have an impact on national political trends.

"Our agitation will continue until our demands are satisfied, regardless of which party is in power." I'm not going to discuss the UP elections. It's finished. However, the tension will undoubtedly persist. On Sunday, Rakesh Tikait, the leader of the Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU), a farmers' organisation, and a crucial face of the movement, declared, "I am with the SKM."

Tikait debunked speculation in certain quarters that he would withdraw from the agitation as badmashon ki afwah (mischievous rumours). "(News) media outlets reported that we failed.)" Why did the government repeal the agriculture laws if we failed?" Tikait enquired.

The SKM's urgent focus is the dismissal of all cases filed against farmers during the movement, some of which were brought under the harsh Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, or both (UAPA). "I have been charged under UAPA," claimed Avik Saha, the SKM's West Bengal representative. "Do you think I'm a terrorist?"

Farmers also seek a regulation that protects their earnings by ensuring guaranteed minimum prices for important farm products.

The farmers' movement of 2021, which spanned numerous states, was one of the most significant agricultural protests in decades. Their main demand was for the Narendra Modi administration to repeal three central farm laws. In response to public outcry, the Centre repealed the laws in December 2021.

Farmers were concerned that the laws would expose them to abuse by large corporations with the power to dictate pricing. The government said that the reforms were necessary to increase investment in agriculture, which is still India's largest employer.

Although the farmers' campaign had a limited impact, it did manage to reduce the BJP's tally, boost the opposition Samajwadi Party's seats, and result in several notable BJP candidates losing at the polls, according to farm leaders.