72^nd Republic Day celebrations in the national capital has always been a treat to watch and it’s customary for the entire nation to glue to the TV sets to watch the extravaganza. The nation remained stationed in front of the screens this time too but for a different reason. Although an air of apprehension was very much there beforehand that the tractor march called by the dissenting farmers over the contentious farm laws may take a ‘different shape’, it was not anticipated that such a large-scale violence will be let loose. It was unbelievable to observe how a protest that was cent percent peaceful and democratic over the preceding 65 days was brought to ruins in just a few hours. All the legitimacy, sympathy and people’s support the protest painstakingly earned, has been eroded and it’s quite difficult to predict where it will ultimately head into. No doubt, the bargaining weight has been depreciated to a good extent and it will not be surprising if there is an abrupt closure of the chapter.

Visuals will not lie and the chaos and lawlessness unleashed was unprecedented. Injuries to over 300 police personnel, detention of over 200 and registration of 22 FIRs speak for the extent of the trouble and the very nature of wrongdoings strongly suggest that there has been an infiltration of anti-social elements, on whom the leaders of the farmers had no control. Right from the afternoon and a little earlier when there were clear signs the chaos was almost getting out of control, pacification efforts commenced. And at the end of the day, from the smashed glass windows of vehicles and other public properties it was clear that they were not heeded at all. After such a terrible development that what is natural has happened- it’s a rift within the farmers' groups. The very idea of the rally simultaneous to the main event on the Republic Day was in itself a bad decision. There are many possibilities why the rally took an ugly turn and even if it is a strong case to reprimand the organisers, the conspiracy angle as alleged by them should not be ruled out so easily. For arriving at the actual cause, only a fair and unbiased investigation is the way out left at the moment and Delhi Police which is answerable to the Union Home Ministry must do that.

A democratic movement dealing with the future of millions of people who ensure the nation’s daily meals has fallen like a house of cards just due to a few vandals. While it’s condemnable, an investigation free from influence is also very necessary. 

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Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

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