Farming the Revolution

In November 2020, Gurbaz Sangha, a young farmer from Punjab, embarked on a remarkable journey. Riding his tractor for 400 kilometres to Delhi, he joined forces with thousands, and later more than half a million, men and women from diverse backgrounds. Their united mission: to stand against the newly enacted Farm Laws, despite widespread opposition. Amid a COVID lockdown, these farmers—representing over half of India’s workforce—vowed to remain at the borders until the laws were repealed. In this parallel world, they redefined co-existence, with women emerging as equal political partners rather than mere supporting characters. Day after day, the protesters showcased India’s pluralistic, defiant and resilient spirit—often overlooked by the media. As the movement gained momentum, farmers across the country and trade unions of industrial workers rallied in solidarity. The scale of these protests echoed the spirit of India’s independence movement, culminating in an unexpected, triumphant outcome.