2nd October is the birth anniversary of Gandhi and Lal Bahadur Shashtri. Both are legendary leaders in the Indian history. Gandhi stands for truth and non-violence. Shastri visioned for the well-being of farmers and soldiers. Both the leaders aimed for building India and making countrymen great, wealthy and prosperous.
Government, opposition and ordinary people pledge to practice the ideas of these two great minds by paying homage every year on this day. However, the present situation of the country negates it. Farmers are on the street demanding justice and security of their lives and livelihoods. But, the current government does not seem in the mood to listen to them.
There was substantial public gathering at Rajghat, the cremation ground of Gandhi, on 2nd October 2018 since morning. However, security arrangement at Rajghat and its opening for the public at 11 AM onward, was not usual for the regular visitors. Later on, security personnel informed that about 20,000-30,000 farmers were marching towards Rahjghat with their 1000 tractors.
The march started on 23rd September 2018 from Haridwar under the banner of Kishan Kranti Padayatra. The participants of padayatra were to pay homage to Gandhi & Shashtri and then to organise a protest at Kisan Ghat, the cremation ground of Indian peasant leader late Chaudhary Charan Singh.
Demands of Kisan Kranti Padayatra
The leaders of Kisan Kranti Padayatra were demanding for – complete loan waiver of farmers, immediate implementation of MS Swaminathan Committee report with particular emphasis on MSP (Minimum Support Price) of one and half times of the input cost, pension for senior citizens from farming profession and widows’ farmers. Apart from that removing the ban of NGT order to use tractors and diesel engine after ten years.
These are the long-pending demands of farmers for years. Government changes but none of the government take immediate measure to address these issues. Recently, farmers’ protest across the country observed, but the present government did not take notice of it. It is widely reported that India is witnessing an increase in the number of farmers suicide in recent years. However, the government attempted to ignore this protest as it has done in the past. But, approaching the capital city, a considerable number of protesters created problems for the Delhi administration, and union government, in the beginning, planned to sabotage the protest using the forceful and violent method.
Government reaction to the protest
None of the government, either Uttar Pradesh or Central government took notice of the protest until the protesters reached the Delhi’s border. The Delhi police under the Home ministry enacted section 144 of IPC and sealed the entry points -Kaushabhi, Vaishali, and Ghazipur border.
The police used tear gas, rubber bullet, and water cannon on the protesters. Police also lathi charged. Many of the farmers are left hurt and immediately admitted to the nearby hospital. This action was unfortunate for a democratic and republic country and took place in the history as a dark age.
This violence shows that the present government believes only in worshipping and flowering at the statue of Gandhi and Shashtri but not to follow the idea of these leaders. The government takes the oath of the Indian Constitution but hardly believe in the principles, i.e. socialist, secular, democratic ideas. It is a tyranny that government took violence method to deal with the peaceful protesting farmers on the Birth anniversary of Gandhi and Shashtri. The government should have listened to the farmers’ demand instead resorting lathi-charged and using tear gas.
