Dear [INSERT MPS FULL NAME] MP,

RE: Indian Farm Reforms of 2020 

I am writing to you as your constituent in relation to the ongoing protests worldwide

against the three Agriculture Bills that were passed by the Indian Parliament earlier
this year:
 Farmers' Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act,
2020
 Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and
Farm Services Act, 2020
 Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act, 2020

Millions of agricultural workers across India and the Indian diaspora around the world
are united in peacefully protesting the execution of these bills, with the following
points causing major concern: 
 Moving away from the traditional ‘Mandi’ system. Although the Indian
Government has reiterated that the Minimum Price Support (MSP) will be
safeguarded, a commitment has not yet been made, and this is a huge
concern for farmers that rely on the MSP as a safety net and as their only
source of guaranteed income. A large proportion of protestors are from the
Punjab and Haryana areas, growing produce eligible for the MSP, and will be
hardest hit if these reforms go ahead.
 Farmer dispute cases will no longer be held in regular court, matters will be
devolved, leaving the door open for further exploitation by corporations at a
local level.
 Traders will be allowed to stockpile food under the new regulations, shifting
from current prohibitions against hoarding, enabling traders to take advantage
of rising prices. This adds to the insecurity of farmers who can no longer
guarantee when their crop will be purchased. 

As a British citizen, and as someone who is deeply connected to my ancestral

farming heritage in India, I am extremely concerned that these new bills will further
worsen the current farming situation. Debt and suicide rates amongst farmers have
been growing over the last decade and adequate safeguarding is required to bring
this under control. In 2019, according to the National Crime Record Bureau, a total
number of 10,281 famers / farming labourers died by suicide, contributing to 7.4% of
the total deaths by suicide.1 

Many of the farmers protesting in Delhi come from Punjab and Haryana. As you are
aware Punjab is the ancestral holy land Sikhs and is also one of the richest
agricultural states in India. Many of the British Punjabis that have been protesting will
have direct family ties to farmers who these reforms will have a detrimental impact
upon. This is supported by a recent survey carried out by the Sikh Council UK
showing that 92% of UK Sikhs have ties to agricultural land in India; 84% are
personally concerned about the impact of the new laws; and 93% of respondents felt
that human rights violations will increase following the mass protest by Punjabi
farmers2.
1
 www.ncrb.gov.in/en/accidental-deaths-suicides-india-2019
2
 www.sikhcouncil.co.uk/surveylaunchappglobby
According to India in the UK: The Diaspora Effect (published in February 2020), the
Indian diaspora in the UK is currently at 150 million people. The report found 654
large Indian diaspora-owned companies with an annual turnover of at least £100k,
with a combined revenue of £36.84bn and paid over £1bn in corporation tax 3. Many
of us from the Indian diaspora have taken to the streets across the UK, protesting
these new reforms and as British citizens, we want the UK government to engage in
an effective dialogue with their Indian counterparts to help bring the plight of the
farmers to the forefront. 

Whilst these protests have unified communities with a collective approach; these
peaceful protests have been a caveat for disinformation, misrepresentation, and
biased reporting. Furthermore, I am disappointed by the images and reports
depicting unnecessary use of force and aggression against peaceful protestors both
in the UK and in India.

I was also disheartened by the response PM Boris Johnson provided to Tanmanjeet

Singh Dhesi MP’s question at PMQs with regards to this incredible movement. It is
inconceivable that our PM Boris Johnson, who was also the former Foreign
Secretary was not aware about a major movement occurring not only in a
Commonwealth country but also at home across the UK. Many media outlets claim
this is arguably the largest protest in the world 4. I want PM Boris Johnson to discuss
these matters directly with PM Narendra Modi during his state visit in January for
India’s Republic Day.

I understand the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development

Office, Dominic Raab is currently in a unique position to talk to his counterparts in
the Indian Government during his state visit to India to discuss a trade deal. I think it
is imperative that Rt Hon Dominic Raab MP uses this opportunity to highlight the
concerns of hundreds of thousands British citizens as per this letter. 

[OPTIONAL- INSERT PERSONALISED MESSAGE OR DELETE]

I would be grateful if you could make representation as my local Member of

Parliament with the Secretary of State for FCDO, Dominic Raab to address these
grave concerns during the trade talks with the Indian PM, Narendra Modi, and Indian
Minister for External Affairs, Subrahmanyam Jaishankar.

I look forward to hearing from you and the response you receive from the Rt Hon
Dominic Raab MP following his conversation with the Indian government.

Your Sincerely, 

[INSERT YOUR NAME]

[INSERT POSTCODE ONLY]

[INSERT EMAIL ADDRESS]

3
www.grantthornton.co.uk/globalassets/1.-member-firms/united-kingdom/pdf/documents/india-in-the-
uk-the-diaspora-effect.pdf
4
www.globalnews.ca/news/7518681/india-farmers-government-protests/
[INSERT DATE]

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