It is understandable that, when confronting an oppressive 'domestic' state-capital alliance, protesters and their supporters find solace in support from Western celebrities and politicians

However, there is a danger in such an 'inside/outside' framework obscuring imperialism

My worry is that the struggle against the farm laws risks being framed in the liberal democracy vs authoritarian framework. That the problem begins and ends with the authoritarian Indian state passing draconian laws

This is not to excuse the Modi government, but rather to ensure we do not lose sight of its links with Western capital-state forces. Great to have the support of Greta, sure, but do not forget how cruel the EU has been in WTO whenever India does try to protect its farmers

"The European Union asked India to explain how Modi proposed to spend 25 trillion rupees ($357.5 billion) on agriculture and rural development, doubling farmers’ incomes by 2022 as part of a 100 trillion-rupee, five-year infrastructure splurge..." https://www.reuters.com/article/us-farm-payouts-wto/trump-and-modis-lavish-farm-payouts-prompt-questions-at-wto-idUSKCN1TI1VZ

“How will this be done, taking into account global market prices of produce and measures put in place to prevent excess production?” the EU asked.

It appears BJP, after being re-elected, was all too ready to abandon farmers and concede to demands of EU, Canada, and US at WTO.

As my brilliant undergrad professor @RadDesai made clear back in the 90s, we cannot lose sight of the alliance between Hindutva and global capital

Essential reading on Hindutva/global capital here: https://threeessays.com/books/slouching-towards-ayodhya/

Recalling Walter Benjamin and Aime Cesaire, we must not forget that capitalism, especially when unchecked by countervailing power, always ends in imperialism and fascism