Farmers protest: Congress blames ‘insensitive’ Modi govt - Opposition leaders insist that protests must be peaceful in a democracy

Opposition leaders insist that protests must be peaceful in a democracy

Farmers near the body of a protestor who died after his tractor overturned during the tractor rally in New Delhi on Republic Day: PTI

Sanjay K. Jha   |   TT   |   New Delhi   |    27.01.21 : Opposition leaders have condemned the violence during the tractor rally by farmers, insisting that protests must be peaceful in a democracy but blaming the Narendra Modi government’s “insensitive” handling of the agitation for the eruption of anger after months of endurance.

As images of unruly scenes, including clashes with police, were beamed on television channels, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi tweeted: “Hinsa kisi samasya ka hal nahin hai. Chot kisi ko bhi lage, nuksan hamare desh ka hi hoga. Deshhit ke liye krishi-virodhi kanoon waapas lo (Violence is not the solution to any problem. Whoever gets hurt, our country becomes the loser. Withdraw the anti-farmer laws in national interest.)”

The Congress kept posting messages throughout the day in support of the farmers’ movement and attacked the Modi government’s insensitive attitude.

Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot said in Jaipur: “Violence is unfortunate but why was the protest allowed to continue for such a long time in this harsh winter? First, the government did not follow the due process by thrusting the unjust laws on farmers and then they showed insensitivity by not respecting the overwhelming sentiment. Are decisions  not changed in democracy?”

Protesting farmers take part in the tractor rally in New Delhi on Republic Day: PTI

Asking if “Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan” was a hollow slogan, Gehlot said: “Should the government behave in this manner with the farmers? Only a government that does not have faith in democracy can handle a people’s movement with such insensitivity. The world is watching what is happening in India. It is, after all, not easy to maintain peace in such a vast movement for such a long time. I congratulate farmers for maintaining peace.”

Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut said: “What is happening in Delhi is a national shame. The government should have stopped this violence. Nobody supports what is happening in Delhi on Republic Day. But how did such a situation develop? Why didn’t the government scrap these laws? Is any unseen force doing politics?”

The RJD hinted at mischief. Party spokesperson Manoj Jha said: “What happened today was wrong. At times, certain things are done mischievously to delegitimise a movement. The farmers are sitting at Delhi’s borders for 60 days and the government has shown only insensitivity and arrogance. We heard the language of autocracy. We can’t demonise the entire movement on the basis of certain incidents today.”

Congress communications chief Randeep Surjewala issued a statement expressing “shock” at the “violent and anarchic scenes” in the capital.  “There is no place for such incidents in democracy. The farmers’ unions dissociating themselves from such acts is a step in the right direction. Peaceful protest is the real strength of kisan-mazdoor. The standoff for the last 61 days clearly show people are frustrated with the government. The Prime Minister should introspect whether the strategy to tire out farmers with the pretence of dialogue was right.”

Pawar’s fear

NCP chief Sharad Pawar on Tuesday called the violence during the tractor parade an indefensible act, but said one also could not ignore the reasons that led to the chaotic situation in the national capital, PTI adds.

The former Union agriculture minister wondered “what was the difficulty” in Prime Minister Modi earlier holding talks with the farmers.

Pawar feared that Punjab could head towards restlessness if the Centre used force against the protesters and asked the Modi government to not commit that “sin”.

He said the authorities needed to keep in mind that the farmers had been protesting for 60 days. None can defend what happening on Tuesday “but we also cannot ignore why it is happening, Pawar said.

“It is my expectation that the Centre will show prudence and give up its extreme position on the issue while holding dialogue with these (farmer) bodies,” the MP said.

The common thread

...Centre’s insensitive attitude and indifference towards our farmer brothers & sisters has to be blamed for this situation.

- Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee

The situation has been brought to this pass by the Modi government. Farmers have been protesting peacefully in the cold for more than 60 days, not allowed to come into Delhi and more than 100 kisans are dead.

- CPM general secretary Sitaram Yechury

…The incident should have been averted. For this it is the government that is to blame…. Modi should be blamed for letting farmers be treated like this.

- CPI general secretary D. Raja