On Friday, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi unexpectedly announced that he would repeal India’s controversial agricultural law that sparked global protests.
Despite the victory, members of the Indian community in Kelowna considered the move to be politically significant, and they are still waiting for action.
“I’m pretty sure that the protests will continue until the parliament abolishes the agricultural law, and farmers will still occupy the borders of New Delhi,” said Amajit Singh Lalli, chairman of the Okanagan Sikh Temple.
Indian Prime Minister Modi repealed controversial agricultural law after a year-long protest by farmers
According to the Indian government, the agricultural law is necessary for India’s modernization and the promotion of production through private investment, but farmers protested that the new legislation would force them to sell crops to companies at cheaper prices.
With key elections in states such as Punjab and the Guru Purab Festival, where Sikhs, who make up the majority of protesters, celebrate the birthday of its founder, Guru Nanak, community advocates are tired.
“Mr. Modi is studying the different events in the Sikh calendar, so this is one of them-what the farm law represents, why the protesters are fighting-it just solidifies the day, which will be the end”, Lalli Added.
Many of the people who participated in the protest were not from India, but they still felt it was unbelievable to see community members from all over the world come together to achieve this victory.
Gurpreet Bassi organized many protests to support farmers in Kelowna. His parents are in India and are on the front line of the protests in New Delhi. Bassi explained how this movement will affect future generations.
“Our generation has never seen any revolution before, so now everyone knows how to fight for our rights if there is a problem, you can raise your voice. So now seeing the farmers win and the law abolished, this is one A good thing, we are proud.”
Bassi added that he is not surprised to see how many people around the world support this cause.
“All my friends here are involved. You will see people putting stickers on their cars. We are very proud. This is a huge victory for us.”
Community members believe that the influence of social media helps to make the movement successful, and it is also the reason why the movement spreads around the world.
“The one thing that really helps us reach this point is social media – because if we don’t have social media, the government will wipe out protesting farmers and imprison them all, but because of social media, it’s being broadcast live worldwide, When you are united as a community, big things can happen. This is the people’s movement, the people’s movement,” said Amarjit Singh Lalli.
Prime Minister Modi stated that the process of repealing these laws will begin in December.
