On Tuesday Tens and Thousands of Farmers rallied inside Delhi’s Red Fort and broke into violence with the Police authorities. Anika Khan reports.
India was celebrating its Republic day amidst a civil outrage that sparked when the government passed new agriculture laws. Tens of Thousands of Farmers and protestors came to the capital from other towns and cities to join the rally opposing the government’s decision.
The Farmers entered the grounds of Delhi’s historic monument, the Red Fort when the Police started charging them with batons and firing tear gases. One protestor was killed amidst these clashes and a dozen others were injured.
Delhi authorities suspended the mobile internet services in parts of Delhi and shut down metro stations to break the crowd. The protest continued into the afternoon, bringing the Indian Government into turmoil.
One of the frontlines of the ramparts was Diljender Sigh, a farmer from Punjab. He was seen standing with the flag of Sikhism chanting, “We have been protesting for the last six months but the government didn’t bother to listen to us.”
He continued, “Our ancestors have charged this fort several times in history. This was a message to the government that we can do it again and more than this if our demands are not met.”
This violence breakout was the aftermath of a two-month protest from the Indian Farmers opposing the new Agriculture laws that deregulate produce markets. Thousands of farmers have been stationed outside the capital since November to demonstrate their fierce opposition to the laws which will destroy their livelihoods and leave them at risk of losing their lands.
The representative of 40 Farmer’s Union, Kisan Morcha condemned those who had taken part in the clash in the Capital. He said, “anti-social elements had infiltrated the otherwise peaceful movement”.
