Protests, neoliberalism and right-wing populism amongst farmers in India

Abstract

Why do farmers facing imminent dispossession still support and acquiesce to a right-wing nationalist project? Why and how does a neoliberal capitalist state make welfare provisions to subalterns? This article answers these questions by explaining the weak protest of local farmers in an under-construction smart city in India. Underlining the key role played by the state, the article shows how right-wing leaders launch redistributive neoliberal policies to help address some of the losses of soon to be dispossessed farmers. Simultaneously, they exploit existing caste and class dynamics by politically accommodating protesting farmers into important positions in the ruling party.