While many raise apprehensions about Rakesh Tikait even now, and perhaps rightly so, I also appeal to the same set to be patient in the way they approach this situation. It’s a difficult time, and such churnings are crucial. The damage that BJP has done to India will take very long to amend. Sometimes even fraught with contradictions. Impulsive reactions won’t help anyone.
Many fault lines still exist in West UP. Unlike Punjab where militant Farmers Unions have been active for many decades, Haryana and even West UP (including BKU) rely on Khaps to mobilize farmers. Feudal attitudes will take time to break down. But the Mahapanchayat on the 29th was a sure, small but significant, step towards the democratization of that society.
Author: Nakul Singh Sawhney
Nakul Singh Sawhney is an independent documentary filmmaker. His notable feature length documentary films include, 'Izzatnagari ki Asabhya Betiyaan' and 'Muzaffarnagar Baaqi Hai...'.
He is the founder of a film media collective in West UP, called ChalChitra Abhiyaan.
Nine Meanings of Muzaffarnagar Mahapanchayat of the Farmers Movement
A lot of people have been calling me since yesterday to understand the Western Uttar Pradesh churning, specially in the context of Mahapanchayat at Muzaffarnagar on Fifth September. Given the absolute paucity of time in my life nowadays, I may not be able to to write a very detailed note.
However, here are some very quick observations:
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