This article is second part of the two-part story based on the on-ground reportage by Dr. Swati Shukla on the Kisan Andolan at Delhi Border. The first part can be read here.
Social Movements are messy. They do not always follow the trajectory that we want them to be and they don’t have to. If movements are a learning space for protesters, it is also a learning space for movement leaders and leaders of the country. If it tests the resolve of those who left their home to demand the repeal of laws it also makes a leader confess on national TV of their role in riots.
5. Farmer tractor rally and govt attempt of Sabotage
My last report ended with the hope of citizens reclaiming the republic in its truest sense and the Republic Day parade was a historic one.
While the day started upbeat and hopeful, the red fort incident took away some sheen of the day that was indeed beautiful and had showcased the beauty of the working population of the country.
We hopped onto the tractors and trolleys and went along with the farmers to cover the Kisan Republic Day parade. It was beyond words! The tractors were greeted with chants of Jai Kisan and showered with flowers as they passed along the highways. The road from Singhu to Delhi Border entry is mostly industrial area and is lined with factories. Many workers had come out to see the parade. It was also the first time that they had a chance to see the Republic Day parade with their eyes.
We witnessed the event as well as police inaction at the Red Fort. Delhi police, known for waging dandas for no reason is standing and watching the hoisting of Nishan Saheb flag at one the mast near the Red Fort.
As opposed to the mainstream media narrative, the Indian national flag was not replaced by Nishan Saheb flag. The Indian national flag continued to remain hoisted on top of the Red Fort and wasn’t disturbed by protesters.
Police got into action as soon as Deep Sidhu the perpetrator of the act fled from the scene. It was very quickly exposed that the hoisting of Nishan Sahib flag along with farmers flag by some people who were led to Red fort was a conspiracy to malign the movement. Those who were part of it accepted it on camera. There are still no arrests of those people but more than a 100 farmers who had gone for the protests are missing since 26th January.
