One year of Indian farmers’ protests prompts B.C. activists to renew call for solidarity

Supporter Mandip Kharod says attention on the plight of Indian farmers remains, but it can become out of sight, out of mind for some.

Every night for the last 11 months, Mandip Kharod has been standing on the corner of Scott Road and 72 Avenue in Surrey, B.C., in solidarity with Indian farmers who continue to protest against that country’s contentious changes to its agricultural laws.

Kharod said she feels a whirlwind of emotions when she reflects on the one-year mark of the protests approaching.

“(I’m) absolutely baffled that this could be ongoing for so long. In what human-rights realm is that acceptable?” she told Global News.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government passed a trio of bills in September 2020 that farmers say will destroy their livelihoods.

Two months later, it triggered a massive nationwide strike and a march of tens of thousands of farmers to the capital city of New Delhi on Nov. 26. The demonstrations have continued ever since, escalating to violent clashes at times and the deaths of roughly 600 people.

Attention on the issue remains, Kharod added, but it can become out of sight, out of mind for some.

Dupinder Kaur Saran, who helped organize several rallies in the Lower Mainland in support of the farmers, agreed and called out the political response at home.

“We need our government’s stance to be stronger. I think when it comes to the one-year mark, we would really like to signify that Canada stands up for human rights, and we need that support on a local level,” she said.