Peace or Outrage- the Red Fort Chaos?

Republic Day Chaos analysis

26th was destined to be a time for Indian farmers to raise their voice against farmer bills. After two months of protesting in the bitter cold of the capital, this was a chance to celebrate their identity in a truly unique way. The tractor, a proud badge of the farmers, a kind of powerful badge that would bring down the Rajpath on Republic Day. As one of them, waving the tricolor angrily, told: “If the jawans can march on Rajpath, why can't we kisans have a showcase for our tractor? All jawan after all is also kisan! ”

It didn't take long for the reverie to move. In the afternoon, it was clear that some of the farmers had turned the event into a turning point in the fight against violence. Breaking police barriers, changing the agreement, and heading straight to the center of Delhi, a farmer-protester had now been turned into a vicious street chaos.Not every farmer was part of the crowd. There were enough farmers, dressed in their colorful shirts and striking heads, who were still determined to make the event a non violent movement.  Some were flossed along the route as others carried laths and deadly swords. While some were adhering to the Sikh custom of giving langar food to passers-by, others were driving their tractors toward police patrols.

So why do farmers' groups, all of which seem to be driven by the same policy of breaking the farm rules, react so differently? Why did some groups become so stubborn that they broke all the rules and ended up in the Red Fort? Only a blatant investigation will reveal the truth and time will tell about the real conspiracies. Farmers, after all, represent more than 30 unions small and large, different jats, and come from different groups in different regions. The proclamation of the repeal of farm laws may have united them, but their political views went far and wide. Like any major movement, this was similar to Shivji ki baarat, a completely different circle for almost anyone wishing to join a group. For example, what did psychologist-turned-activist net like Yogendra Yadav have in common with actor Sunny Deol groupie and Khalistani writer like Deep Sidhu? Where did a da-in-the-wool dye like Hannan Mollah fit in with a farm businessman who wanted to excel like Rakesh Tikait of the Bharatiya Kisan Union.

To expect at that time thousands of tractors to fit into a robust operating system has always been unrealistic. Why the Delhi Police, despite their better judgment, allowed the political leadership to explain their opposition to such an important tractor meeting remains a mystery. Delhi police, on his recommendation, have acted professionally and showed extreme restraint in the face of intense outrage from an unruly mob. But as they faced both the task of managing the capital and dealing with an unprecedented tractor assembly, the over-waiting police officer was innumerable.If perhaps the police underestimated the tractor meeting, the farm leaders limited their ability to hold a large and diverse group. For two months, the peasants, surprisingly kept their peace, perhaps hoping that the sign of their peaceful protest would force the powerful institution to retreat. They almost succeeded - last week, it was clear that the government was under pressure to meet the many needs of farmers. Perhaps driven by their success, the farm unions played their hand.

Somehow, farm leaders must accept the moral responsibility for the violence that has fueled their unique protests. The farm organization was governed by a code of conduct up to now, widely accepted that "kisan as anna-datta" (food supplier) cannot be taken lightly. But the most disturbing images of protesters storming the Red Fort, attacking police in various locations and intimidating intervening workers have shaken the illusion of the love of a hardworking farmer like respectable men and women. By breaking the law, the tractor became a suicide weapon.

The institution, too, needs to do the right thing. For too long, the government has been trapped in hubris, a state of mind that sees any street protest as “racist” and a challenge to his rule. The uncoordinated opposition group, too, dived into troubled waters while responding to protests. If there was a lot of trust and interest on all sides, there would be little reason to suppress the turmoil to the point. Even now, it is not too late to find a solution if this is not the case. Meanwhile, the violence has undermined the credibility of the protests, which appeared to be real and spontaneous while the size of the Indian Empire has also been discovered. Republic Day 2021 will come down as a day when the inspiring slogan "Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan" has lost a bit of its sheen.

The death of one farmer on January 26 when a tractor overturned while trying to get into a police car has made headlines and marked a few anarchic hours in central Delhi. But what about the 60 ordinary farmers who died in the cold during the protests two months ago? Who will mourn for them?