The document discusses the ongoing conflict between farmers and the government in India over recent farm bills passed by the Rajya Sabha. The farmers fear that the bills will eliminate the minimum support price (MSP) system and disrupt the existing support structures in states like Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh. It provides suggestions for how young people can play a greater role in peacebuilding efforts related to the conflict, such as supporting youth visions for peace, creating space for youth political engagement, and facilitating inter-community dialogue. A proposed plan of action includes spreading awareness of the issue, using social media, attending protests, and forming negotiation committees.
4. WHAT THE CONFLICT IS ABOUT
The farmers are protesting against 2 Farm Bills that the Rajya Sabha
recently passed: 1. the Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion
and Facilitation) Bill, 2020, and 2. the Farmers (Empowerment and
Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Bill, 2020.
The farmers of Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, and Haryana are angry with the
provisions of these Bills as they are afraid that these Bills may be the
platform that the government (at the Centre) is setting up for the
replacement or scrapping of the otherwise robust support system prevalent
in their states for the purchase of their crops. They fear that the Minimum
Support Price (MSP) guarantee that was their safety net since the Green
Revolution of the 1960s kicked in, maybe snatched away from under the
pretext of giving the farmers more playing ground and better platforms.
5. HOW YOUNG PEOPLE CAN PLAY A GREATER ROLE
IN PEACEBUILDING:
1. Support youth visions of peace
Even when they have not known life without conflict, young people have
clear visions of what peace should be, and have a strong desire for a
future without violence. Peace processes need to ensure meaningful
inclusion of these views in their design and implementation.
2. Create space for youth to engage in political processes
Many youth feel excluded from political processes, and from making
meaningful contributions. It is crucial that governments make sustained
commitments to rebuild the young people’s trust and confidence in
governments. There are also additional challenges facing women and
girls in gaining access to public spaces which need to be addressed.
6. CONTINUED....
3. Support education and capacity-building for peace
Access to education is fundamental for facilitating young people’s
positive engagement in peace. Youth suggested specific and
practical ways this could be realised, including reforms to civic
education, and the introduction of peace education.
4. Facilitate inter-community dialogue and exchanges
Distrust, stereotypes, and prejudices can be tackled by initiatives,
such as exchanges, which encourage continuous dialogue and
engagement between youth from different communities. It is
particularly important that young people who have been directly
victimised by conflict are involved.
7. PLAN OF ACTION :
Spreading awareness :
A lot of persons across India are still unaware about the reason behind the protest. So
it becomes a necessity that an awareness programme must be initiated .
Use of Social media :
While social media is widely reckoned for promoting propagandas but it is an effective
tool to reach out to a large audience with less expenditure. Hence it becomes
extremely useful for a youth who generally doesn’t have large funds to operate.
Attending protests :
Youth attending the protest will ensure that the protest is carried on peacefully and
the grievances of farmers are addressed.
Forming committees :
It will be an effective way to negotiate with the government and understand their
perspective . Through committee we will try to negotiate with the government and
put an end to this conflict.
