LET NOT PUNJAB “FARMERS” EMULATE CAPITOL HILL RIOTERS
Government of India has been extremely patient in dealing with this agitation, inspite of the huge economic loss to the country and millions of common men being inconvenienced due to several acts of the protestors such as blocking the highway etc.
Several agriculture economists have justified the farm laws clearly stating that it is the need of the day and it is necessary agriculture reform measure. Government of India has called the protesters for meeting nine times so far and explained the justifiable need for these farm laws and how the interests of the farming community have been protected.
However, the protesters are adamant and are sticking to their stand.
In such situation, very disturbing news are appearing in section of media that the protesters are really egged on by the middle men and traders who are affluent and have the money power and staying power and may be by some motivated anti government elements too.
The protestors, though are sitting on the highway and are exposing themselves to cold conditions, are very well fed and have enough warm clothings with variety of convenient conditions specially created. Many people wonder how these protesters have been sustaining themselves for such long period and what appears to be in nearly comfortable conditions. Obviously, they are being funded by some agencies , which the government should be aware of.
The statement of Canadian Prime Minister and some members of Parliament in UK and some senators in USA supporting the agitation by the protesters make one suspect whether some international agencies are involved in this episode. It is said that members of the Khalistan Movement,who are demanding separate state out of India for Sikhs ,are reported to be participants in this protest and several slogans hailing the Khalistan Movement have been voiced. Some opposition political parties in India too have been supporting the agitation against the enactment of farm laws, though the clause in the farm laws are almost exactly the same as advocated by several political parties in the past.
Now, the scene appears to be that the protest against farm laws look like an anti Modi government agitation.
In a democratic country like India, where freedom for individuals and media appear to have reached ,what some people think as absurd level, the popular view is that any non violent protests should be considered as legitimate.
At the moment, the matter of highest concern is as to whether the protestors would become violent, emulating the rioters in Capitol Hill in USA, where they entered the building which is the official seat of power and caused huge violence and death of a few people..
Some of the protesters in Punjab have said that they would continue the agitation ,even if it has to be prolonged for six months and more and some have said that they would not mind even being killed in the process. Further, they have said that they would disturb the forthcoming Republic Day celebration in Delhi by entering Delhi. Recently, they organized a “tractor procession” and some have said that it was the rehearsal for the protest that would be launched on the Republic Day.
This condition is disturbing and certainly cause concern ,particularly after seeing the unruly behavior of the rioters in Capitol Hill.
Will the protesters in Punjab take the cue from the Capitol Hill protest and model their actions in similar fashion?
So far,Govenrment fo India has given no indication that it would put down the agitation by force, even creating an impression that it would be soft towards the agitators at any cost.
It is very necessary that Government of India should not take a chance and allow the protesters to become violent, which may be the objective of some of the external and separatist forces directly or indirectly associated with the protest .
Government of India should not be caught napping, just as the police force in Capital Hill did.
In recent times, in India as well as in several other countries, mob agitations have been unruly and caused violence and anarchy, Let it not happen in the case of protest against farm laws in India.
Let Government of India remain forewarned and take necessary preventive measures to ensure law and order. Let not the Government of India cry over the spilled milk later on, as it has just happened in USA.
N.S.Venkataraman
Nandini voice For the Deprived
nandinivoice.com more