the farm laws
it happened sitting idle on a rainy day
with not a single meeting in the way
the memory of a saying long ago said
came into mind and started a thread
how the income of farmers be doubled
so they will feel a little less troubled
the government can increase the msp
but it will only burden the treasury
already the money is flowing out so fast
the need of infrastructure is so vast
let the free market take some burden
before the situation becomes fearsome
so it was then decided to open the door
so individuals could buy crops some more
but what will they do with all the grain
if it just rots in their godowns again
just as it does with the food corporation
so we need to liberalise transportation
let the foodgrains flow to other states
and the traders will have roaring trade
but a consideration came in the way
the market has its swing and sway
the traders cannot live from day to day
they must have some surety of play
to plan ahead they should be sure
they can buy crop when it matures
contract farming was the answer
for the crops they could sponsor
when once the decisions were taken
to implement them, there be no hesitation
the session of parliament is far away
and disruption will then be every day
so we will take the ordinance route
it has been done before no doubt
in due course of time it came to pass
the parliament turned them into laws
but it hurt the vested interest so much
as if midas the king had lost golden touch
the money was coming to the coffers
but new measures will put a stopper
dismayed they held confabulations
have to somehow start agitations
the point was what form should it take
when their very dominance was at stake
they knew that government is not weak
in a hurry they are not going to squeak
it will have to be a long drawn affair
so what to do and how and where
and it needs funds to have agitation
it might be necessary to have litigation
where is the money, they were clueless
they can pool resources but not too much
money matters, cannot be just thrown away
the success surely was not a matter of days
but then help came from sources from afar
they could afford it to further their war
enemy of enemy is friend was their slogan
and finances were not to be mere token
they had their own grievances galore
the government steps had hurt them more
the permanent enemy saw its chance now
activated its sleeping cells and let them crow
money supply assured they drew up the stand
selected the personnel who had time in hand
what form protest should take was the subject
processions were just periodical had no impact
some thought about how old ones did fight
they surrendered the forts and cut their lines
this was the very best way they thought
no violence would give sympathy they sought
no dearth of personnel who had leisure
could afford to be idle while others toiled
north and west their problem was least
who would block the south and the east
looked around and found some leaders
who had their own monopoly in danger
the east was secured but south was worry
no one would come forward in a hurry
time was running out and sooner the better
they stated pitching tents where it mattered
dilli was surrounded, roads were blocked
citizens were troubled but they just watched
the wise supreme court also took a hand
asked agitationists to come and explain stand
but they were wary, they had no arguments
except that the laws hurt their sentiments
propaganda was their only point strong
repeat your views till they becomes a song
corporates would take away their crops
nothing can be done to make them stop
later the lands will also go in their hand
they will be labour, where will they stand
all that was said in speeches again and again
but would not come to court to explain
the court suspended the laws operation
hoping for the agitationists cooperation
their effort was once again in doubt
they appointed a panel as a way out
still the agitationists held themselves aloof
cause against laws they had no proof
they were hoping for some sign of weakness
government just remained moot and speech less
minister called them for round after around
still born as there was no common ground
the agitationists were cut up and desparate
they created disturbances but it went waste
they hoped for lathi charge and worse
but government would not even budge
it went on and on with no end in sight
who knew who was wrong and who right
till the elections were round the corner
agitationists took it as point in their favour
as days passed the protests took back stand
change the government was now the demand
and then suddenly prime minister sprang a surprise
the laws would be withdrawn, and let them demise
the agitationists were floundered by this move
still tried to continue the agitation as before
we do not believe in sayings of modi, they said
parliament was supreme which was still ahead
the parliament could not say no to let them go
the fig leaf was also gone , no more show
tried to change the demands and add some more
legalise msp was the cry taken up on the floor
but the spirit was gone from the movement
so they returned home after time well spent
the end of the show bred some resentment
they had a merry time while sitting in tents
with free money and good food coming their way
they were sorry that it had to end this way
back in their villages with nothing else to do
only exchanging the tales about their bravado
kakku kavi thought it was the best way to narrate
the laws and the agitation lasting so many days
the memory of the agitation will just fade away
else be forgotten in a matter of weeks if not days
(january 5, 2021)