Page 422 - Week 02 - Wednesday, 10 February 2021
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Their relatives, their friends in India who are farmers, are upset with the central government of India’s reforms to deregulate the agriculture industry and give private enterprise the ability to circumvent regulated wholesale markets and deal directly with farmers. The central government of India says the reforms will boost investment and break up state control over the marketing of food and fibres, allowing farmers to sell directly to corporations, grow crops under private contract and use e-commerce platforms.
Farmers fear it will leave them at the mercy of big business and say that government has refused to listen to the legitimate concerns of farmers regarding the impacts of the proposed legislation, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. They say the legislation will take away the fundamental rights of farming communities, will weaken the farmer economically and will not provide a guarantee for the minimum support price, which is equivalent to the minimum wage for workers.
Added to this have been media reports of political interests having a hand in funding farmers’ protests in order to create more chaos and influence public opinion. At this point in time, staple foods have been removed from a list of essential commodities regulated by the state. The Indian Supreme Court has ruled in favour of delaying the laws’ effect, but the laws look likely to be implemented.
Some Indian farmers are not educated and would not know how to use e-commerce platforms. It may be also that some are not skilled at negotiating with big corporations. It is a reminder for us about the importance of community consultation, about really listening to people before we bring in change, before legislation is written and implemented.
On 30 January 2021 I attended the Australia Day celebrations of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Association at the Garden City Hotel in Narrabundah. There are approximately 6,000 Ahmadiyya Muslims in Australia and 150 in Canberra. Let’s not forget that this small and dynamic community will be building their own mosque after a decade-long search and negotiation with the government for appropriate land. At the time, I advocated for proper process and respect to be given to this, at times, marginalised group. After all, their motto is “Love for all and hatred for none”, with a strong focus on community service and service to humanity.
In 2020, after the horrific bushfire season, the association held an Australia Day event attended by more than 150 people to honour the brave firefighters and volunteers. In his concluding speech, Imam Ahmed Nadeem outlined the reasons why Muslims celebrate Australia Day. He said it is an Islamic teaching that love of one’s country is part of one’s faith, and the standard of this love is the service to your community.
The Ahmadiyya Muslim Association paid tribute to our frontline workers and healthcare staff for their service and sacrifice in response to the pandemic. I would like to acknowledge the director of community outreach, Ahmed Munir, as well as Imam Ahmed Nadeem and the many volunteers who help educate the general public about their community as well as the good work they do.
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