It seems some British and Canadian Indians have lost their passion for farmer protests. Remember the fervor surrounding the Indian farmer protests? The same individuals who declared themselves warriors for agricultural justice, waving flags and chanting slogans, now seem curiously silent about farmer struggles much closer to home.
The current plight of UK farmers deserves attention. Crushed under the weight of falling prices, climate pressures, and post-Brexit policy chaos, British farmers are fighting for their livelihoods. Some are protesting; others are simply walking away from generational legacies. And yet, the diaspora voices who once claimed solidarity with farmers everywhere have turned a deaf ear. Where are the marches? Where are the hashtags? Where are the langars for British farmers?
Ah, but there’s the rub, isn’t it? Supporting Punjabi farmers in India wasn’t about farmers at all. It was a thinly veiled excuse to express displeasure with the Indian government. The outrage wasn’t about MSPs, land ownership, or agrarian distress; it was about taking a political stance against a government some disliked. Fair enough—people are free to express opinions. But let’s not kid ourselves that it was ever about farming.
Why the silence now? Surely, the principles of justice and equality for farmers should transcend borders. Or is the lack of response a quiet admission that these supposed champions of the agricultural sector never truly cared about farming? After all, it’s much easier to be outraged about a distant issue when it comes with little real-world cost and makes you look righteous in the process. British farmers, on the other hand, might not fit the desired narrative. They lack the same romanticized imagery of “ploughing through adversity” in the name of tradition and culture. Worse, their grievances might actually require serious policy discussions, not just tweets.
And what about Canada? The vocal Indian diaspora that turned Canadian streets into tractor-themed protests for Punjab now seems far more interested in diplomatic spats than agricultural woes. Canadian farmers, like their British counterparts, are struggling with supply chain disruptions and climate challenges. Yet, not a peep from those who once stood in solidarity under the banner of “justice for farmers.” Apparently, some farmers are more equal than others.
The truth is uncomfortable but clear: The previous protests were not a movement to protect the dignity and livelihoods of farmers. They were a political spectacle, driven more by antipathy toward the Indian government than by genuine concern for rural communities. It was an act of selective outrage, dressed up as humanitarian concern.
If these self-proclaimed farmer advocates truly cared about farmers, they would have shown the same zeal for British farmers. Instead, their silence lays bare their hypocrisy. Perhaps it’s time to admit that the tractors, flags, and hashtags weren’t about farming—they were about politics. And if the politics aren’t convenient, neither is the advocacy. Greta? Rhianna? Why is no one talking about this? Any little kids writing to the King?
But don’t worry. Maybe the next time there’s an opportunity to oppose a government they dislike, they’ll dust off their banners and slogans. Until then, British farmers, sadly, you’re on your own.
