Who Funds the Farmer Protest?: Unveiling the Hidden Financial Networks

The ongoing farmer protest in India is a multifaceted issue that garners significant international attention. Behind the scenes, there is a complex network of financial funding that sustains the protest. This article aims to uncover the financial sources that drive the protest and the real people or entities behind them.

Funding Networks of the Farmer Protest

The funding for the protesting farmers largely originates from their unions or through donations from over-seas entities. Many of the protestors, including Tikkait, are millionaires whose primary source of income is from agriculture and not from farming itself. They run a side business, which includes various activities, including agri mandi dalali (farmers' market trading), aadhatia (land agents), and bichaulias (land contractors).

In addition to their side businesses, the funding also flows from various political parties such as the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Congress, and leftist organizations. These political entities provide financial support to the farmers through various means, including legal and illegal donations.

The Role of Union Funds and Overseas Donations

Some of the financial backing comes directly from the farmers' union fund, which is supplemented by donations from over-seas entities that have a vested interest in the protest. It is worth noting that the farmers are not engaged in the protest solely as individuals, but as part of their unions, which provide a structured framework for funding and organizing collective actions.

The Concept of Langar and Its Financial Dynamics

When discussing funding networks, an essential aspect to consider is the concept of Langar, a traditional Sikh community kitchen that provides free food to all visitors. Interestingly, the farmers who are protesting, including the Bihari laborers, rely on Langar for sustenance, yet the food they consume is a result of their own agricultural labor. This paradox highlights the irony that the food meant to feed the protesting community is a direct result of the very labor that sustains the conditions of poverty.

Conclusion: The farmer protest in India is fueled by a combination of internal union funds, donations from over-seas entities, and political support. It is crucial to understand these funding networks to grasp the complex dynamics behind the protest. Furthermore, the concept of Langar raises ethical questions about the paradoxical nature of the protest and the labor that sustains it.

Keywords

Farmer Protest Funding Networks Langar

Further Reading

Aam Aadmi Party Indian National Congress Sikhism