'We need to Visibilize the Invisible' - Says Indian Social Activist

Global Rights Defenders

When India’s Prime Minister Narendra Damodardas Modi passed the Farm Bill in 2020, the farmers rose up in revolt. Faced with the hardships from the global pandemic, and pre-existing inequities, the proposed farm bill would only add further strain. Farmers have little control over their sector which include issues around land ownership, irrigation, corruption, and unpredictable weather. At the time this podcast was recorded, the protest had realized it’s one year anniversary. The proposed laws work together to remove bargaining power from the farmers, all to keep them in a cycle of perpetual debt. Sixty percent of India’s 1.3 billion inhabitants rely on the agricultural sector, whereas only 11% contributes to India’s overall GDP.

***It should be noted, this podcast was recorded November 15th, 2021, four days before India PM Modi repealed the controversial reforms.

To keep up with Kavitha, check out her different activities:

Twitter - @KKuruganti

Alliance for Sustainable & Holistic Agriculture (ASHA) - https://www.kisanswaraj.in/about/

Forum for women’s farmers rights [Mahila Kisan Adhikaar Manch (Makaam)] – https://makaam.in/about-us/