Book/film review- 19
November 19, 2021
With the Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s announcement to roll back the farm laws, a year-long farmer movement at the borders of Delhi resulted in its end. PM Modi said in his address to the nation on Guru Nanak Jayanti,"Today, I announce that the government has decided to roll back the three farm laws. By the end of this month, the government will complete the constitutional procedure to repeal these laws with the beginning of the parliamentary session.” (1)
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| Book ‘Kisan Andolan : Ground Zero 2020-21’, written by Mandeep Punia. (Photo is subjected to copyright to R. Suresh Bhardwaj) |
After PM Modi’s address, the protesting farmers receive a fanfare at Singhu, Tikri and Ghazipur borders. They distributed ‘Laddoo’ to celebrate their triumph, dancing on the beat of the songs that were being played on the tractors parked at the sites. The sun set witnessing their celebrations and the moon also evidenced that euphoric night. It was seeming as an incomplete dream has been completed. (2)
But, the day of celebrations was not fallen at a glance, farmers had to complete a long journey to reach that day through their temporary settlement at borders, bearing lathi-charge and tear gases in clash with the police, blamed-to-be taken Khalistani support, conflict among farmer leaders, and their controversial tractor march to Red Fort.
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| Farmers’ tractor march during their protest against farm laws. (Special arrangement, photo is subjected to copyright. Don’t use without permission.) |
Journalist Mandeep Punia, Punjab University graduate and IIMC alumnus, covering all the incidents from beginning of the movement to its culmination with the repeal of these laws in his book ‘Kisan Aandolan: Ground Zero 2020-21’ with an euphoric and restless enthusiasm.
He writes in his book, “At Singhu Border, a road turned into a large field. Now, the field converted in a house with several shelters where there were almost a lakh habitants. Smokes was going up from all shelters because a fire was in flame. ‘Collective comfort’ as bread was being baked on Tava (pan), that was being turned over like restlessness. Lohia said that government must be changed in democracy otherwise it would be rotten. (3)
Explaining the chronicle of events, he claims that the movement was spontaneous, contrary to many facts mentioned in this book, that give major indications of it was planned. Holding banners in support of Shaheen Bagh, movement against CAA and releasing people arrested during protest, farmers were seen shouting slowing at the protesting sites.
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| Farmers preparing snacks during their protest against farm laws at Singhu Border. (Photo is subjected to copyright. Don’t use without permission.) |
While reading, it can be understood the functioning of farmer unions and peasant movement during protest that is penned with microscopic view. Despite having these writing quality and his efforts, the book has a little glitch to understand the context. If there is a flow chart of movement’s chronology and a list of farm unions, it would add more clarity in the book’s narration.
The book describes all major events of the protest including ‘Delhi Chalo March’, ‘strategical shift of protest’ and also controversy between farm unions and Yogendra Yadav. To jot the book down, living amid farmers, makes the content and description a living document of our time.
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| Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) spokesperson Rakesh Tikait during farmers’ protest against the farm laws at Ghazipur Border. (Photo is subjected to copyright. Don’t use without permission.) |
In a chapter, the book arises some questions like academicians that how the involvement of Khap Panchayat (local panchayat) was a difficulty to farm unions, why workers were not part of the protest and also farm labourers, mostly Dalits (scheduled caste), were away from the protesting spot, but it lacks in answering these questions. It is irony to readers like me that the writer should have been patient at this point!
It is an important part of any protest how it spreads its support. And, the book answers why the protest had a great and strong support from farmers. The writer finds its answer in the emotionality. He quotes an age-old farmer, Harnam Singh, coming from Fatehgarh, who does not know where is Delhi, Ramlila Maidan and Jantar Mantar? The farmer says, “It was a day before 1983 when I came to Gurudwara Bangla Sahib, but I don’t know where is Delhi. If anyone says me pointing out to any place, it is ‘Ramlila Maidan’, I would have sit there.” (4)
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| A farmer leader addresses a gathering of farmers during farmers’ protest against farm laws. (Photo is subjected to copyright. Don’t use without permission.) |
It was an emotion and a strong determination that created a concrete support to the movement and transported the farmers to the day of celebrations marking the rolling back of farm laws with PM Modi’s address. In many opinion, a government that never kneels, bowed before the farmers’ vow.
It was victory and end of a ‘rich farmer movement’, as I found, according to prominent political scientist Sudha Pai’s categorisation based on the fivefold criteria—the pattern of land ownership, state policies, technology-based change, the pattern of mobilization, and the leadership.
Note: The Book ‘Kisan Andolan : Ground Zero 2020-21’, is written by Mandeep Punia. He graduated from Punjab University and also passed out from IIMC, New Delhi. He was my classmate. He wishes to do something different from the day first when we both met at an entrance examination centre of IIMC.
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| Monochrome picture of Mandeep Punia, taken from the book ‘Kisan Andolan : Ground Zero 2020-21. |
After working with many media outlets, he decided to work independently and has been published in The Caravan, Outlook, The Wire , Newslaundry and Down to Earth. Now, he is running his own venture YouTube channel : 'Ganv Savera’ and ‘Mandeeppunia unplugged’.
Foot Notes from the book
1. Originally, “Aaj Mai Aapko, Pure Desh Ko, Ye Batane Aaya Hu Ki Hamne Teenon Krishi Kanuni Ko Wapas Lene Kaa Nirnay Liya Hai. Hs Mahine Ke Ant Men Shuru Hone Jaa Rahe Sansad Satra Me, Ham Teenon Krishi Kanunon Ko Radda Karne Ki Sanvaidhanik Prakriya Ko Pura Kar Denge.”
2. Originally, “Singhu Par Laddoo Bantane Shuru Ho Gaye The aur Tractoron par Gaane Bajakar Kisaanon Ne Nachana Shuru Kar Diya Tha. Kisaanon Kaa Saara Din Naachte-Naachte Bita. Raat Bhi Naachte-Naachte Hi. Aisa Lag Raha Tha, Jaise Adhura Sapna Pura Ho Gaya Ho.”
3. Originally, “Ek Sadak Ab Fail Kar Maidan Ho Gai Thi. Fir Wah Maidaan Simatakar Ghar Ban Gya Aur Ghar Me Koi Ek Lakh Rakhwaai The. Sabke Gharon Se Dhuaa Uth Rha Tha. Dhuan Ke Niche Aag Sulag Rahi Thi. Tavon Par Saamuhik Itminan Roti Ki Shakl Me Sink Rha Tha, Bechaini Ki Shakl Men Palat Rha Tha. Lohia Ne Kaha Tha Ki Loktantr Ke Tave Par Satta Ki Roti Paltati Rahni Chahiye Varna Ek Taraf Se Jal Jaegi.”
4. Originally, “Fatehgarh Se Aae Buddhe Kisan Harnam Singh Ko Kya Pata Dilli Kaha Hai Aur Ramleela Maidan ya Jantar Mantar Kaha hai. 1983 Se Pahle Ki Baat Hai Mai Gurudwara Bangla Saheb Aaya Tha, Lekin Dilli Ka Mujhe Pata Nahi. Koi Mujhe Kuchh Dikhakar Kah Deta Ki Yahi Ramlila Maidan hai to Ham To Wahi Baith Jaate.”
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