Yet, beneath this veneer of political dominance, there are rumblings of discontent.
Kartar Singh, a farmer from the nearby Pai village, believes the BJP is on shaky ground this time. "Minimum support price (MSP) should be guaranteed by whoever forms the government on June 4. If not, we will protest again," he declares. With a badge of Bhagat Singh pinned above his pocket and the flag of the Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) in his left hand, Singh is no stranger to protest - he had spent 14 months at the Tikri border during the 2020-21 farmer agitation.
Singh is not alone. Hundreds of farmers from Haryana and Punjab had congregated at the village in Kaithal district for a mahapanchayat, a grand assembly called by various farmer unions. These included the BKU Ekta, Punjab Kisan Union, Kheti Bachao, Punjab Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee, Sanyukt Kisan Morcha (nonpolitical), and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha.
As union leaders delivered impassioned speeches from the dais, the farmers listened attentively, occasionally pausing to smoke a hookah or fetch water to combat the heat. The leaders reiterated their demands for a law guaranteeing MSP and a farm loan waiver, and also addressed numerous issues they deemed politically "unjust": These ranged from the treatment of protesting female wrestlers at Jantar Mantar in Delhi to the Agneepath scheme and corporate loan write-offs.
The farmers who lost their lives during the agitations were repeatedly hailed as "martyrs".
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة May 22, 2024 من Business Standard.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 8500 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك ? تسجيل الدخول
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة May 22, 2024 من Business Standard.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 8500 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك? تسجيل الدخول
India Inc profit in Q4 grew least in 5 quarters
Listed companies' combined net profits (adjusted for exceptional gains and losses) were up 11.4 per cent yearon-year (Y-o-Y) in the January-March 2024 (Q4FY24), growing at the slowest pace in the last five quarters.
Rising mercury quenches FMCG thirst
With heatwave persisting in most parts of the country, fastmoving consumer goods (FMCG) companies continue to report a sharp increase in the sales of summer-centric products like ice creams and cold beverages.
Agnikul fires up reusable rocket dream, orbital launch next target
After the successful test flight of Agnibaan SORTED, Chennai-based space startup Agnikul Cosmos is lining up an orbital flight in the next 12 months and is also drawing up an ambitious plan to develop India's first reusable launch vehicle carrying payloads.
Indian travellers in 'hot pursuit' of luxury
More inclined to seek unique experiences, willing to brave the heat, and explore beyond traditional holiday seasons
HAZE OVER BRIGHT LINE TEST
Why transfer pricing over marketing intangibles has become a contested issue between companies and tax authorities
Of cricket and monetary policy
The June policy will be one of status quo in every way. There will be no change in rate or stance
Small credit business gives itself a hand
As unsecured loan growth ebbs, new ways to serve the segment have emerged, report
Banking channel for financial inclusion feels left out
Business correspondent firms' revenues are under stress as banks get tough with them to meet targets
Unclaimed shares in banks caught in legal limbo
The Banking Regulation Act, 1949, empowers the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to regulate banks, but many of its provisions do not apply to those owned by the government.
Lack of central KYC hinders market participation
I recently spent an idyllic week trekking with friends in the Dordogne region of southwest France.