New Delhi: Thousands of farmers driving tractors into the national capital on Tuesday, broke through police barricades and defied tear gas shells before storming the Red Fort as India marked Republic Day amid covid-19.
The protesters waved flags from the ramparts of Red Fort, where prime ministers hoist the national flag to mark India’s independence day.
Red carpet welcome
Many farmers marched or rode horses, shouting slogans against Prime Minister Narendra Modi. At some places, they were showered with flower petals by residents who recorded the unprecedented rally on phones.
Farmers have been camping on the borders of the capital, blocking highways connecting it India’s north since November end in a movement that has rattled the government.
The protesters seek withdrawal of the new laws that they say will commercialize farming and empty out farmers’ earnings.
Roads blocked
Police fired tear gas and water cannons to push back the tractors, which rammed into barricades.
The administration blocked roads with trucks and buses to stop the farmers’ rally from reaching the center of Delhi.
The government says the farm reforms passed in Parliament in September will benefit farmers and boost output.
All roads lead to Delhi
Farmers had tried to march into the capital in November but were stopped. Since then, unfazed by the winter cold, they are camping at Delhi’s borders and have threatened to besiege it if the laws aren’t repealed.
The government meanwhile has offered to amend the laws and defer them for 18 months. But farmers insist on nothing less than a repeal. They plan to march on foot to Parliament when the new budget will be presented on 1 February.
Tractor rally
The tractor rally overshadowed the Republic Day celebrations, which were scaled back because of covid-19 pandemic.
A thin crowd gathered at Rajpath to view a parade that shows off the India’s military power and cultural diversity.
Republic Day
Republic Day marks the anniversary of the adoption of India’s Constitution in 1950.
Farmers are the latest group to upset Modi’s dominant image in Indian politics.
Modi on the back foot
Since returning to power for a second term, the economy has tanked, social strife is growing, protests have sprung up against discriminatory laws and Modi’s administration has been questioned over its response to covid.
‘Anti-national’ farmers
The controversial farms laws have worsened resentment among farmers, who complain of being ignored by the government.
The PM has tried to allay their fears by dismissing their concerns and has repeatedly accused the opposition of instigating them by spreading canards.
Meanwhile, leaders of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, or BJP, have called the farmers “anti-national”, a tag attached to those who criticize Modi and his policies.
Photo courtesy: Wikimedia Commons