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| ‘A stitch in time saves nine’ – ‘Red Fort’ episode | | |
Mahadeep Singh Jamwal
‘A stitch in time saves nine’ is a timely effort that will prevent more work later. The 'stitch in time' is simply the prompt sewing up of a small hole or tear in a piece of material, so saving the need for more stitching at a later date when the hole has become larger. This phrase can well be employed to the farmers’ agitation. What happened at ‘Red Fort’ on 26 January 2021 has brought shame to the country and is a most condemnable structured event. Delhi's famous Red Fort, one of the most magnificent palaces in the world, designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2007, is a witness to the flag hoisting after independence of India annually on 15th August and on 26th January. Red Fort is a symbol of independent India and thousands of Indians had given up their lives for independence and to see the national flag flying atop the fort.
This year on 26th January 2021, for the first time, we witnessed two additional flags i.e. the saffron flag (Nishan Sahib, a triangular flag that is sacred to Sikhs) and another one appeared to be of a farmer union.
Tens of thousands of protesting farmers drove long lines of tractors into India’s capital on Tuesday, breaking through police barricades, defying tear gas and storming the historic Red Fort as the nation celebrated Republic Day. Several protesting farmers entered the Red Fort in Delhi and waved flags from the ramparts of the fort, during their tractor parade against the farm laws. Whoever has done it has brought irritation, humiliation and stigma to the entire country. Authorities shut some metro train stations, and mobile internet service was suspended in some parts of the capital, a frequent tactic of the government to thwart protests. The brain storm on the issue is required to reach the nearest accurate analysis so that we can find out the negligence on the part of agitating farmers or the police (the government), responsible to maintain law and order. In the given situation, as per much brow ha-ha, we have three players to make them stand in queue for screening i.e. ‘Samyukt Kisan Morcha’ farmers union spearheading the agitation, The Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee and group of farmers led by actor-turned-activist Deep Sidhu and Delhi police under the Home Minister of Government of India. Farmer unions claimed that the tractor rally fell prey to the government conspiracy. There is a conspiracy to give a bad name to farmers (This cannot be ruled out; the way free for all situations was allowed).
We had been viewing on media that the same apprehensions have continuously been shown by various leaders spearheading the agitation. But just because of it, they cannot be absolved of the responsibilities. They failed to act accordingly and it is a hard reality that points towards their failure to identify the black sheep (If any) that have been enjoying their eatery in commingle but with different psychology. Some farmer leaders have alleged that Deep Sidhu, one of the alleged perpetrators of the violence at Red Fort, belonged to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, the parent body of the Bharatiya Janata Party (Some photographs on social media and web engines certify it). A video clip featuring Deep Sidhu raising slogans at the Red ford that has also gone viral, and claiming that we reached Red Fort to symbolically register our protest, to exercise our democratic right and not to challenge the unity and diversity of the country.
We have put up the Nishan Sahib and Kisan flag on an empty post. This has narrowed down the sphere of fixing responsibility of the said episode. Delhi police claims that around January 25 evening, the protesters pushed forward the aggressive elements that then gave provocative speeches and started inciting violence at Delhi borders. But, since we had an agreement, we were sticking on it. It was also given to them in writing that there should be no more than 5,000 tractors (in the rally) and there should be no weapon with them. Is it enough on the part of the authorities responsible to maintain Law & Order? It is a million dollar question, at least not enough in my personal opinion. Especially when police were having knowledge of inciting violence prior to the actual date of rally, we were supposed to have a well knit second and third plans to deal with the situation but the way hooligans entered Red Fort speaks of a free for all situation let loose by the Delhi Police. The statement of Delhi Police that the police exercised restraint, On humanitarian consideration, because we didn’t want any loss of life is sound enough but proper analysis of the inputs, lack of any strategy to deal effectively if situation turns otherwise and lack of sufficient deployment, he has to owe the responsibility. It was not a spontaneous act but well planned and authorities at the helm of affairs utterly failed to identify the outcome.
Government has tried to allay farmers’ fears by mostly dismissing their concerns and has repeatedly accused opposition parties of agitating them by spreading rumors. On the political front, BJP as always, slings back Congress’ mud over Red Fort violence. What is the responsibility of the Home Minister requires to be taken into consideration. Come what may, where the hooligans brought shame for the country, Delhi Police under HM is equally responsible for the final conclusion of the shameful act. Ultimately it is the responsibility of the government to come out in flying colors from the mesh of farmers’ agitation in an acceptable manner to all players in the field and not to push its adamancy. |
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