Timeline of Farmer’s Bills since they were introduced as ordinances
The three farm laws (Farmer’s Bills) that Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced to repeal on Friday are — Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Bill, 2020, Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Bill, 2020 and Essential Commodities (Amendment) Bill 2020.
Following is the timeline since they were introduced as ordinances, paved the way for farmers’ agitation till Friday’s announced to be repealed:
June 5, 2020: The Centre brings in three ordinances claiming these will bring in reforms that are long pending, farmers can sell produce at better prices.
July-August 2020: Protests erupt in parts of Punjab against the three farm laws.
September 14, 2020: Government introduces the three bills in Lok Sabha.
September 17, 2020: Lok Sabha passes all three farm laws without much debate.
September 20, 2020: Rajya Sabha passes the Bills, by voice vote.
September 24, 2020: Punjab farmers declare a rail-roko agitation.
September 27, 2020: President gives his assent to the farm laws.
November 2020: Samyukta Kisan Morcha formed, it is a consortium of more than two dozen farmers’ organizations, mostly from Punjab but others join in too.
November 26, 2020: Farmers’ march towards Delhi begins, police put hurdles in many ways, including by digging up highways and spreading nails on the roads.
November 27, 2020: Ultimately, farmers in large numbers reach the Singhu border, the Tikri border, Ghazipur border bring in tractors and trolleys, set pandals, langars, cater to the protesting farmers.
November 28, 2020: Government offers to talk with a condition that farmers shift to Burari; farmers demand Ram Lila Maidan as the venue.
December 3-9, 2020: Government starts talks with farmers, farmers’ leaders reject the government’s proposal of amendment to the three laws.
December 11, 2020: Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) approaches the Supreme Court against the three farm laws.
January 7-12, 2021: Supreme Court accepts to hear the case; stays implementation of the three laws, and appoints a committee to make recommendations.
January 20-25, 2021: Farmers reject the government’s offers to stay the farm laws for 18 months and insist on repeal.
January 26, 2021: Farmers’ tractor rally on Republic Day; major clash with police; a set of protestors damage Red Fort, hoist the Khalsa flag along with the tricolour.
January 27, 2021: A day after the Red Fort drama, Delhi Police forcibly put up barricades at all the borders where farmers’ groups are protesting.
February 14, 2021: Bengaluru-based young activist Disha Ravi was arrested for editing and spreading ‘Toolkit’ in support of farmers’ agitation.
March 5, 2021: Resolution passed by Punjab Vidhan Sabha demanding withdrawal of the three laws.
March 19, 2021: Supreme Court-appointed committee submits its report.
May 27, 2021: Farmers observe ‘black day’ to mark six months of the agitation.
June 5, 2021: ‘Sampoorn Krantikari Diwas’ (Total Revolution Day) by farmers marking one year of ordinances that paved the way for three farm laws.
July 22, 2021: ‘Kisan Sansad’ starts at Jantar Mantar in a parallel manner, with the Monsoon Session of the Parliament.
August 7, 2021: 14 opposition parties’ leaders decide to visit ‘Kisan Sansad’.
September 5, 2021: ‘Kisan Mahapanchayat’ held at Muzaffarnagar; farmers declare to oust Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath from Lucknow, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Delhi
September 27, 2021: ‘Bharat Bandh’ call by farmers’ consortium gets mixed response; farmers do not enter Delhi, most action in north-west Indian states.
September 7, 2021: Kisan Mahapanchayat held at Karnal, action shifts to Haryana.
October 4, 2021: Four farmers among those killed when a car runs over protesting farmers at Lakhimpur Kheri.
November 17, 2021: Supreme Court appoints retired High Court judge to probe Lakhimpur Kheri case.
November 19, 2021: Prime Minister Narendra Modi announces that three farm laws would be repealed.
[With Inputs from IANS]
PGurus is now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel and stay updated with all the latest news and views
For all the latest updates, download PGurus App.
- ED grills AAP legislator Amanatullah Khan in Delhi Waqf Board case - April 18, 2024
- DRDO successfully flight tests indigenous cruise missile - April 18, 2024
- ED attaches assets worth over Rs.97 cr of Raj Kundra, Shilpa Shetty in Bitcoin scam case - April 18, 2024
For all the details given above the bottom line is that the bills passed by the parliament had to be withdrawn under the threat of violence and continued nuisance to public. With authorities shying away from exercise of authority for fear having blood on their hands a smelly middle finger was shown to the Democracy. Setting a precedence for future and a message that the can will only be kicked down the road.