Day 63
#FarmersProtest
Kashmir Model
To me personally, the Tractor March on Delhi’s Outer Ring Road was a great event. Ordinary citizens of the nation – around 2 lakh tractors, at least 7-9 lakh famers – asserted their right to walk the national capital, mark the day we as a nation renew our pledge to live by our Constitution. Barring some unfortunate skirmishes, there was no damage to any person, private or public property. After the march, all farmers returned back to their camps at Singhu, Tikri, Ghazipur, Shahjahanabad, and Palval.
Based on my sporadic talks with some people on all protest sites, this is what I have learnt about what the farmers are feeling when they reached back their sites. We must know, the farmers are tired, they braved police tear gassing, lathi charges. They want to rest, catch some sleep. They feel this whole effort was such a drain of energy and are asking themselves if this march was even necessary? What have they gained from it. The exhaustion is so great that they do not even know if they should feel happy they accomplished the march.
- Flag on Red Fort: they learn that some individuals had been adventurous and installed the Sikh Nishan Sahib, flag, on Red Fort. No union or leader had made the call to install Sikh flags on Red Fort. As argued earlier in my posts, the act did not threaten the Indian state. No one touched the Tricolour. It was certainly not an act related to Khalistan.
Yet, Godi media has picked it up, some in urban India are having paroxysms.
The farmers are dismayed. They have been camping in Delhi for the past 63 days to get the Farm laws repealed. Not to play some symbolic games around flags. Their issues are political economy not religious. Such is history that for centuries these people have lived by the edge of their sword. In various movements of the past century, and for the last 63 days they have walked the razor’s edge of non-violence. Now they sense the state will turn repressive. They have seen repression earlier, they know it harms grievously.
Who are these people unfurling flags on Red Fort in imitation of Baba Baghel Singh in 1783? A flag is an important symbol. If unfurled politically, it must be defended. Yet, where is Deep Sidhu? He has run away! He is in hiding! They know he was Sunny Deol’s campaign manager in last elections, his pictures with Modi, his affiliation with BJP. They have been deeply suspicious of him since he set up the Shambhu Morcha. How dare he now jeopardise their farmer protest? They are angry. They know in their long history, how such moles have betrayed them in the past, in their wars with British. They are disgusted.
- Leadership Vacuum: the farmers are also wondering about their march – how many distractions, how many new routes, how many police barricades even on routes allowed. Singhu – they know at Mubarka Chowk there was a disagreement between Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee and Sanyukt Kisan Morcha. KSMC had given the call to enter Delhi. SKM wanted to march on outskirts of Delhi. KSMC was willing to break barricades, youth wanted to go with them. Yet, such teargassing! Why did the leaders not mutually resolve this beforehand?
Tikri – why were some tractors turned around at Nangloi and not allowing the march to Najafgarh as planned? Why did police lathi charge them? Where were the leaders? Ghazipur – why did police barricade both routes, to Akshardam and Geeta Colony? How could they then march? Their group landed up in Red Fort, the flag incident happened. Another group was trapped in ITO where they were badly canned.
Where were the leaders through all this? Did the leaders not say they will be in front? Did they not say, if police takes action, they will be the first to be hit? Where are they now, by evening, by next morning? Only at 10 am at Singhu did some leaders call for a meeting over mechanical mikes and speakers. What will they tell us badly beaten people? Will they help us process our emotions? What next from here – are Unions going to come together again and push for repeal of Black Laws or will there be a split now? Will our camps be the positives ‘melas and langars’ of resistance or will we be enveloped in gloom? What next on talks with government?
- Internet Blackout: why is their Internet blocked? Why can’t they call their near and dear ones and assure them they are safe? their families back home are worried. They want to connect with friends, share experiences, learn what happened through the day. They can’t! The government has cut the lines.
What are their leaders saying? What is the media saying? What is India saying? They stayed non-violent. They hope India knows this …
This is what happened in Kashmir. They supported Kashmir through its darkness. They know, terrible, terrible things were happening there. Yet, they tried to support. The courts blocked their protests, they continued to support.
They hope India now supports them.
Else, what happened to Kashmir, what is happening to them now, will happen to India, part by part. All the issues are to do with political economy, but they get distracted by religious symbolism.
Know this, do not fall for the Hindutva propaganda machinery. They showed you yesterday that the nation is its people.
The farmers protest against Farm Laws and for implementation of MSP continues. Sabr!