Since the announcement of the farm laws last year, lakhs of farmers have been relentlessly protesting. They demand the repeal of the three contentious farm laws. They have gained support from farmers unions and farmers throughout the country. A large number of people involved in the protests were women, who have proved to be an asset to the protests.
The farmer’s union has been protesting and demanding the repeal of the three controversial farm laws since the beginning of the monsoon session of the Parliament this year (July 22). Female farmers arrived at Jantar Mantar to aid in the protests and highlight the role women play in agriculture. This action has created a landmark event in history as this is the first time an all-women convoy conducts the Kisan Sansad at Jantar Mantar. It is a historic event because it is the first time that the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) has acknowledged the role of women and allowed them to take leadership of the movement.
None of the nine core leaders of the SKM nor the leaders of individual farmers unions is a woman, making this a very progressive decision in their history.
The Mahila Kisan Sansad will represent the importance of the role of women in the ongoing movement. A Tweet from the account of Kisan Ekta Morcha said that “Our strong women leaders are going to lead the #FarmersParliament. Women farmers from various districts will be partaking in this ‘Mahila Kisan Sansad’.
Our strong women leaders are going to lead the #FarmersParliament
Women farmers from various districts will be partake in this 'Mahila Kisan Sansad'#WomenFarmers_AtParliament— Kisan Ekta Morcha (@Kisanektamorcha) July 26, 2021
The movement has been appreciated and supported by people from all over the country while criticising the actions of the NDA and their anti-farmer policies.
Even our grandmothers know and understand that what Modiji is doing will ruin not just us, but the entire country..!!#WomenFarmers_AtParliament#FarmersProtest pic.twitter.com/ptiwE18oYw
— karaj Lahoria (@karajlahoria97) July 26, 2021
We urge the consumers to come out of their homes and join the farmers protest.
These bills will make the consumers to suffer same loss as the farmers will. #WomenFarmers_AtParliament pic.twitter.com/yXnZSu9e7O
— ਨਾ_ਸਮਝ (@Signed2God) July 26, 2021
https://twitter.com/Arshhdeep1/status/1419482827129647106
https://twitter.com/vikasBkuTikri/status/1419476868177272833
The new farm laws have been a cause for strife between the ruling government and the opposition and farmers. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi supported the movement against the three farm laws by arriving at the Parliament in a tractor today. He says that the farmers have his full support, and he has “brought farmers’ message to the parliament”.
Conflicts due to the announcement of the laws have been going on for the past eight months with no resolve. The silver lining though is that women are being given a much more prominent role when it comes to leadership and protests. The Mahila Kisan Sansad being the best argument for the case.