Most farmer groups began their protest in June, when the ordinances were passed, well before the laws were enacted. They tried local meetings, protests to local politicians and even stopping trains. But the central government ignored them until they descended en masse on the capital. Now either the government underestimated the strength of the opposition to the laws, or they naively hoped that if they ignored the protests, they would go away. Either way, it speaks of a government that is losing touch with its people. What we are seeing in the Indian farmer protests should give us pause, and also cause for hope. Faced with an uncompromising and distant government, unfair laws, courts that seem to work to delay or deny justice and a media that blatantly kowtows to the government line, the protestors have not turned away from the path of the constitution. They continue to engage with the government in discussions despite eight rounds of failed negotiations, and against all odds and provocation, they continue to remain non-violent, and give the government the chance to do the right thing. They are, quite simply, the people demonstrating the greatest faith in our country and its democratically elected government right now. It is important for the government and its friends in the media to see this, and treat them with the respect they deserve.
Sarayu Pani, 'Understanding dissent' Tattva
