Satyagraha in the Twenty-first Century: Social, Spiritual and Ethical Dimensions in the Global Pursuit of Truth

As this issue goes to press, the four-month-old Kisan Andolan (Farmer’s Movement) demanding the repeal of three farm laws is facing a critical moment when a section of its tractor rally strayed into the Red Fort area leading to some violent incidents. These incidents were condemned unequivocally, di...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Social Change (New Delhi) 2021-03, Vol.51 (1), p.7-11
Main Author: Mohanty, Manoranjan
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
21st century
Agriculture
Caste
Civil liberties
Farmers
International trade
Labor unions
Social change
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Summary:As this issue goes to press, the four-month-old Kisan Andolan (Farmer’s Movement) demanding the repeal of three farm laws is facing a critical moment when a section of its tractor rally strayed into the Red Fort area leading to some violent incidents. These incidents were condemned unequivocally, disowned and deplored by the main organisations associated with the farmer’s campaign. This peaceful mass movement of farmers from Punjab and Haryana, joined by contingents from all over India, have been undertaking their satyagraha since 26 November 2020––India’s Constitution Day––keeping their commitment to Gandhi’s principles to the core. This is a powerful illustration of satyagraha in the twenty-first century in the Gandhian tradition. Whatever may be the ultimate result of the specific demands, this movement cutting across caste, religion and community with a cross-section of big, medium and small farmers, together with agricultural labourers, have been asserting their Constitutional right to protest and raise their voice in defence of their livelihood rights, which according to them were threatened by the new laws, paving the way for corporate domination in agriculture. In this, they were supported by the country’s civil liberty groups, trade unions and all opposition parties. They have questioned the premises of the laws as false and have sought to persuade the government to accept the considerations presented by the farmer’s unions as true and just. Over ten rounds of dialogues with the Government of India have already taken place, showing that they are open to dialogue on the issue of agricultural reforms once these specific laws are withdrawn.
ISSN:0049-0857
0976-3538
DOI:10.1177/0049085721997787