On Republic Day, the nation of India comes together to commemorate the construction of the Indian constitution, holding the human rights entitled to its people.
However, on this human rights day, the celebrations have been painfully ironic. Republic Day this year has instead been filled with increasingly violent protests, demanding back the basic rights of India's farmers.
In contradiction to a set of controversial new farm laws, in specific removing the regulations, and therefore protections within the farming industry, despite this action not even being discussed within the Parliamentary Committee. The proposed purpose of this deregulation is to make farming more efficient, thus dispensing the 'middleman' essentially. However, this also means the incoming lack of support and subsidising from the government within the farming industry, and the removement of the minimum prices which beforehand protected this field. Individual farmers are liable to be taken advantage of by the unfamiliar corporate world due to their newfound vulnerability, and therefore peacefully protest.
Republic Day saw a rapid turn in terms of escalating violence, with many protesters being unnecessarily arrested and even killed, as thousands lost their freedom on the very day they should be celebrating it.
Anand Singh Aulakh, a student, voiced the opinions of many, in saying that: 'Everyone is entitled to voice their opinion through protest. Not only have these farmers been stripped of their right to protest, but also the right to food, water, and therefore freedom.'
Republic Day began with the Indian Police arresting peaceful protestors, and even their parents, partners and children without reason. Following this, violent and aggressive, yet state-sponsored attackers began to instigate widespread riots against these protestors. Shortly, more of the population were allowed to ‘hone in on the fun,’ as several alleged nationalists were escorted by the police, to the hub of the protests and allowed to attack the innocent. The police then also contributed to the blood-shed, striking protestors with tear gas, batons and water cannons. Hundreds were injured, with a significant proportion of them even disappearing, and one being found dead. Evening arose, and the protestors took to their contacts to spread the word regarding their condition, yet the government managed to stop this in its tracks, as the police created a media blackout between the protestors and the rest of the world. They had lost their very right to communicate, which was then followed by the loss of their right to access food and water. As their supplies to these basic human necessities were cut off, they also came to know of the propaganda which had been circulating, accusing them of destroying the Indian flag. Despite these accusations being backed up with no evidence, farmers are still facing hatred for their supposed actions, with their statements being disregarded.
The farmers therefore, in just a day, had their families, their right to communication, their food, their water, the value of their word, and in some cases even their lives, taken away from them. Yet meanwhile, most of the country sat peacefully in their homes, celebrating the very day which symbolises freedom and human rights in India.
