India celebrated its 72nd Republic Day, on Tuesday. This day is celebrated to commemorate the drafting of the Indian Constitution that came into effect in 1950. The farmer have been protesting since 62 days at the Singhu border.
On 26 January, they wanted to have a parallel Republic Day parade for which the police had given them permission. There was something tricky in giving such permission. Anyways, as the farmers had agreed to the rules and regulations given by the police.
The country was happily celebrating the Republic Day, clashes broke out in New Delhi between the police and farmers who have been protesting for almost two months against three new agricultural laws that they consider a threat to their very existence. The farmers who hail mainly from Punjab and Haryana have been camping out in the bitter cold just outside the capital.
On Tuesday, they decided to drive their tractors into the city as part of a large rally to make their voices heard. Suddenly, the news of the farmers protests became violent which made people realise that the country was once again reminded of how far we have strayed from the commitment to protect the fundamental rights of all citizens under the Hindu nationalist administration of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
According to the reliable sources, the farmers had shared the protest route with law enforcement agencies, but some farmers deviated from the approved path and that’s when the chaos erupted. The police beat protesters with sticks. Tear gas cans and sound grenades rained upon them. In reaction to the police action, some farmers threw stones and drove tractors at a very high speed towards the police.
The scenes of clash between the police and the farmers were broadcasted in the news media. People of the country were very angry with the protesters. On the other hand it also shows how this authoritarian administration was unprepared to meet this challenge.
The agricultural laws, which favor private traders and large industrial companies were passed through the Parliament without considering the interests and opinions of the farmers. This has been a standard procedure for Modi and his regime all through these 6 years to push laws through the Parliament as it is controlled by the ruling party. The judiciary and bureaucracy have become mere rubber stamps and gives their approval without any checks or balances.
Unfortunately, Modi didn’t expect the farm laws to generate resistance. This time the country’s farmers reignited a spirit of dissent which is rarely found after this authoritarian government came into power.
Misinformation was quickly circulated online that Sikhs had desecrated the flag, while in truth, the Indian flag remained untouched. The battle for farmers’ rights was soon reframed as a battle against anti-nationals, with Union Minister Prakash Javadekar declaring that “India won’t tolerate insult of national flag at Red Fort.”
All these unfortunate events on Tuesday could have been avoided if Modi could shed his ego and arrogance and replace it with compassion for the farmers. Instead he is worried about his promises made to his industrial bosses and stern to implement farm laws to please them.
There is anger in the hearts and minds of those who have built India from the ground up. The farmers are demanding a real resolution. But Modi is in no mood to listen. India now needs to return to the fundamentals of a good governance leaving behind the arrogance of power.
