Farmers' protest is justified

Thousands of farmers mostly from western Uttar Pradesh descended on Delhi to protest against sugarcane price. The western UP is the stronghold of RLD leader Ajit Singh and he did not fall behind to exploit the farmers anger against the central government to his political benefit.It is usual that every year with the beginning of winter session of Parliament, people from different corner of the country come to Delhi to lodge their protests. It is only to bring the attention of the government towards their problems. It is also fully justified and to agitate peacefully is the legitimate right of the people in democracy. But it does not mean that they should hold the national capital Delhi to ransom.The traffic in the city was thrown out of gear. Delhiites had to face a lot of problem on the roads and there was traffic jam everywhere in the city. The thousands of farmers converged on city roads and behaved unruly. The police forces were mute spectators. There was free for all and it appeared as if there were no rule of law in the city. The opposition also did not allow Lok sabha to transact its business and the government was brought on the mat. It is good that the opposition showed the facade of unity inside and outside the Parliament to ghareo the government and compelled it to be on backfoot. Manmohan Singh-led UPA government was so far acting without any resistance from the opposition parties as they were badly disunited. But they have united over farmers’ sugarcane price issue. The central gorernment has announced a price of Rs.129.85 per quintal for sugarcane during the 2009-10 crushing season under the Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) system, while the Uttar Pradesh State Advisory Price (SAP) has been set between Rs 165 and Rs 170 per quintal.In case a state government fixes SAP higher than the FRP, it will have to pay the difference.Farmers want Rs 280 per quintal for their produce.In the face fierce opposition on the streets as well as inside the Parliament, the Centre had to relent and it had to assure the farmers of considering their demand. Though Parliament was stalled on Friday also and adjourned till Monday, Prime Minister Dr.Manmohan Singh has called the all-party meeting to discuss the farmers’ issue. Apart from skyrocketing sugar price, the price of all essential commodities, especially edible items, are running away unbridled. It appears as if there were no government and there is no body to look after the poor people. Neither the ruling parties nor the opposition appeared to be concerned about the rising prices. The farmers have given any opportunity to the opposition to unite and grill the government on rising prices.