Farmers' Protest: All Roads Lead to Democracy

The farmers' organisations on December 9 announced their further plan of action to intensify their resistance against the new farm laws, which included blocking the Delhi-Jaipur national highway by December 12. Haryana Police, as expected, was ready to block their entry at various places on NH 8. 

Polytechnic Manesar, Panchgaon, Jaisinghpur Khera

The Modi government's ramban or go-to strategy or to deal with all forms of dissent is police ka danda. By projecting resistance as a law and order situation, the government is deliberately overlooking the fact that this is a political question seeking a political solution. 

Police Baton, the “answer” to all questions

Haryana police again had trucks of soil ready to block the farmers' way, like they had tried a few weeks ago and had failed miserably. The idea of learning from your mistakes is lost on them.

Soil is loyal to those who are loyal to it.

The police have also dug up the side of road at Haryana-Rajasthan border. Again a tried and failed technique. But the real question is who will repair it? Doesn't it amount to damage to public property: a narrative commonly used to discredit and vilify those raising voice for their rights?

JCB digging up the road

The government's response to the farmers’ peaceful protest reeks of arrogance. They are adamant on their view that the new laws are in farmers' interest while the farmers continue to highlight their flaws. It has refused to listen to the farmers as well as experts on agriculture.

The Narendra Modi government seems to have mistaken the national capital as their fortress of solitude where "trespassing" isn't allowed. 

But it fails to realise the power of peoples' resistance, when people rise all roads lead to democracy.