Farmer Protest 2.0 vs. 2020 Agitation: Five Key Differences

While the current Farmer Protest 2.0 shares some similarities with the 2020 agitation, significant differences exist in their goals, leadership, tactics, government response, and overall strategy. Here are five key points highlighting these distinctions:

1. Demands:

• 2020: Farmers primarily opposed three farm laws perceived as detrimental to their livelihoods. The repeal of these laws became the central demand.

• 2024: While repealing any remaining farm laws might still be a concern, the primary demands shift towards broader issues like legal guarantee for Minimum Support Price (MSP) for all crops, debt relief, pensions, and withdrawal of lawsuits filed during the 2020 protest.

2. Leadership:

• 2020: The Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) served as the central umbrella organization with diverse farmer unions coming together.

• 2024: The landscape has fragmented with over 200 unions participating, including SKM (Non-Political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha leading the Delhi Chalo 2.0. Some prominent figures from 2020 appear less visible this time.

3. Tactics:

• 2020: Farmers staged large sit-in protests at Delhi borders, creating significant disruption and media attention.

• 2024: Pre-emptive measures by authorities are preventing entry into Delhi. Protests are currently concentrated in Punjab and Haryana, with efforts to mobilize nationwide support.

4. Government Response:

• 2020: After prolonged negotiations and intense pressure, the government repealed the farm laws.

• 2024: The government seems open to dialogue but emphasizes existing initiatives and expresses reservations about some demands like a legal guarantee for MSP. Pre-emptive measures suggest a stricter approach compared to 2020.

5. Overall Strategy:

• 2020: The movement focused on achieving a specific goal – repealing the farm laws. Once achieved, the protests largely subsided.

• 2024: The focus is broader, seeking systemic changes and long-term reforms. This potentially indicates a longer and more strategic approach, with the possibility of escalating tactics if demands remain unmet.

It's important to note that the situation is continuously evolving, and these points represent a snapshot based on current information. It's crucial to stay updated and rely on credible sources for further developments.