‘Hum Bhi Bharat’ Episode 50: Why Are Indian Farmers up in Arms?

Arfa Khanum Sherwani speaks to Siraj Hussain, former secretary of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, and Pushpendra Singh of Kisan Shakti Sangh, about the demands of the protesting farmers and what the future of the agrarian crisis looks like.

Thousands of protesting farmers began the Kisan Kranti Yatra on September 23, marching from Haridwar to reach Delhi. Their demands included raising crop prices, unconditional waivers of loans, reduction of electricity and diesel prices, among others. At the border of Delhi, the march turned violent when the police lobbed them with tear gas and hit back with water cannons and lathis. However, the next day, their demands were seemingly accepted by the government.

In the 50th episode of ‘Hum Bhi Bharat’, Arfa Khanum Sherwani discusses this sudden turnaround, and what the future of the agrarian crisis looks like with Siraj Hussain, former Secretary of Agriculture and Farmer’s Welfare, and Pushpendra Singh of the Kisan Shakti Sangh.