One of the biggest argument the government is putting forth for new Farm Laws is that it will eliminate middle-men. These middle-men, per the government are the arthiya – the commission agent and money-lender. The Farmer Unions are defining the arthiyas as ‘service providers’.

Here is a peek from my book that takes you to the ground and explains the phenomenon from what I experienced.

You decide.

I am very glad Scroll has carried the excerpt from PANJAB: Journeys Through Fault Lines. Last year, when the book came out, we issued limited excerpts and I had to sadly refuse Arunava Sinha, whom I actually like and respect a lot. I am glad it came out now when it is directly related to the argument against Farm Laws.

I am so thankful that today Scroll carries PANJAB’s review by Manreet Sodhi Someshwar.

Manreet, thank you for picking on my ‘owing a debt to a land’ and discharging it through the book. I feel fellow Panjab companion Karthik Venkatesh, the editor of the book, too has done the same with PANJAB: Journeys Through Fault Lines – discharged a debt.

Even if I have to say it, this is perhaps the most comprehensive review of the book and sets it up in the context of current protests against NPR/NRC/CAA.

Please read more here …