New Delhi – Clashes erupted between protesters and police as thousands of farmers poured into the national capital riding on their tractors, pulling apart barricades.
The tractor parade, which was meant to be peaceful, was organized on India’s Republic Day as a show of strength by the protesting farmers who have occupied campsites at the capital’s borders for over two months opposing the new agriculture laws, which they call a threat to their livelihoods.
At least one protester has died in the clash, which has left many more injured. Over 80 policemen have reportedly been injured. The government has snapped internet services in different parts of the city, which feels under siege at sensitive places.
The police had prescribed the routes and time for the farmers’ procession. The rally was meant to be a parallel parade to highlight farmers’ demands on Republic Day, the national holiday which marks the birth of India's Constitution and is celebrated with a military parade in the heart of the national capital.
However, some farmers deviated from the routes and forced their way forward, pulling apart barriers.
Hundreds of farmers breached the historic Red Fort, the iconic palace that was once home to India's Mughal rulers and now symbolises the country's state power. They climbed its ramparts and hoisted a Sikh religious flag on one of its minarets – which many see as a national insult since the privilege is reserved only for the national flag. The majority of the farmers protesting the agriculture laws are from Punjab, a state with majority Sikh population.
At some places, hordes of rampaging protesters overturned vehicles and fought with police. The security forces used tear gas shells and were seen beating protesters with batons, TV news showed. The protesters pelted stones at the police.
The farmer leaders spearheading the movement, which has peacefully continued for over 60 days, have distanced themselves from the violence. Samyukta Kisan Morcha, an umbrella group of around 41 farmer organizations, released a statement condemning the violence while appealing to the protesters "to stick to the route and norms of the Parade, and not indulge in any violent action or anything that taints national symbols and dignity.”
Yogendra Yadav, a farmer rights activist, said he felt "ashamed" of the violence that marred the parade. “Being a part of the protest, I feel ashamed of the way things proceeded and I take responsibility of it,” he said in an interview.
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