MS Swaminathan Daughter Urges Respect for Farmers, Says ‘Cannot Treat Them Like Criminals

MS Swaminathan Daughter Urges Respect for Farmers, Says ‘Cannot Treat Them Like Criminals

Madhura Swaminathan, a developmental economist and the daughter of agricultural scientist MS Swaminathan, stated on Tuesday—referring to the Haryana government’s handling of farmers’ protests—that Indian farmers are “our annadatas” and cannot be treated like criminals. Speaking at an event held by the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) in Pusa, Delhi, to commemorate her father’s posthumous award of the Bharat Ratna, Madhura stated that farmers must be included in the ongoing celebration of MS Swaminathan. “Today, Punjabi farmers are marching towards Delhi.” Based on the information in the newspapers, I think that bars are being installed, jails are being built for them in Haryana, and various other preventive measures are being taken. These people are not criminals; they are farmers.

On Tuesday, farmers marched towards Delhi after meeting with a group of union ministers and having a lackluster discussion. The farmers’ resolve to go to Delhi was announced by the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha and the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political), who intensified their calls on the Center to take up their complaints. A legal guarantee for the minimum support price (MSP), the execution of the Swaminathan Commission’s recommendations, pensions for farmers and farm laborers, the forgiveness of agricultural debts, the resolution of police cases, justice for the victims of the Lakhimpur Kheri violence, the reinstatement of the Land Acquisition Act 2013, the withdrawal from the World Trade Organization, recompense for the families of farmers who have died in previous protests, and more are among the demands made by the farmers.

“I request that all of you, India’s top scientists, speak with our annadatas. We cannot treat them like criminals,” she continued. We need to come up with answers. This is what I’m asking for. I believe that in order to move forward and pay tribute to M. S. Swaminathan, we must include the farmers in any future plans we make. Madhura is the head of the Indian Statistical Institute’s Economic Analysis Unit in Bengaluru. Madhura uploaded a comment by MS Swaminathan dated November 2021 on X, the defunct Twitter platform. In it, he expressed his satisfaction with the Union government’s decision to repeal its three controversial agriculture laws. In September 2023, MS Swaminathan, who is recognized as the mastermind of India’s Green Revolution, went away at the age of 98. “I am happy with the announcement today,” the statement said. It is my emphasis that the National Commission on Farmers’ reports are centered around C2+50%. Our ability to make an influence on three fronts—production, procurement, and prices—will determine the fate of our farm. These ought to be taken care of in parallel.

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M S Swaminathan developed the Minimum Support Price (MSP) and fervently pushed for its adoption, according to former IARI director R B Singh. Recalling his time working with M. S. Swaminathan, Singh remarked, “Agriculture policies abound, but there is nary a policy for farmers, the man with the plow. The Minimum Support Price had been recommended by the Swaminathan Commission with great vigor. With a pro-poor, pro-women, and pro-environment stance, Dr. Swaminathan was adamant that our farm women and men would secure a bright future in agriculture and food and nutrition security if they received the support outlined in the policy. Soumya Swaminathan, the Chief Scientist at WHO, and her daughter MS Swaminathan also spoke at the function.