Overview
Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) is an umbrella coalition of farmers’ unions formed to coordinate and lead the nationwide farmers’ protests against the three farm laws enacted in 2020.
It emerged as a central platform uniting diverse agrarian organisations across multiple states.
Formation
- Established in 2020
- Brought together over 40 farmers’ unions
- Leadership largely drawn from Punjab, Haryana and western Uttar Pradesh
- Expanded participation from other states over time
Context of Emergence
The SKM was formed in response to the following legislations:
- 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
Farmers argued that the laws would weaken the Minimum Support Price system, undermine APMC mandis and increase corporate control over agriculture.
Major Activities
- Organised prolonged protests at Delhi borders including Singhu, Tikri and Ghazipur
- Coordinated tractor rallies and nationwide demonstrations
- Engaged in negotiations with the Union Government
- Mobilised support through mass outreach campaigns
Key Demands
- Repeal of the three farm laws
- Legal guarantee for Minimum Support Price
- Withdrawal of cases filed against protesting farmers
- Compensation for farmers who died during the protest
Outcome
- The three farm laws were repealed by Parliament in November 2021
- The movement marked one of the longest sustained agrarian protests in independent India
- SKM continued to function as a coordination platform for agrarian issues
Significance
- Demonstrated collective bargaining power of farmers’ unions
- Highlighted concerns regarding agricultural reforms and federalism
- Brought national attention to MSP and rural distress
- Influenced discourse on participatory policymaking
Conclusion
Samyukt Kisan Morcha represents a coordinated farmers’ collective that played a decisive role in shaping agricultural policy debates in India. Its mobilisation underscored the importance of stakeholder consultation in major economic reforms affecting the agrarian sector.
