Standpoint
By Rajendra Singh*
Realising the Constitutional rights of the people, the police of Delhi and Haryana have faithfully and sensitively performed their duties. Permission has been granted for holding of the farmers’ tractor rally on Republic Day. The State is beginning to listen to her people. This proves that the Constitution and democracy continues to be upheld in India. If this permission were not to be granted, India would have been reflected in poor light. Its global image would have been affected. In granting permission, the government has saved itself from this.
The farmers have understood that this is the right time for freedom from what they perceive to be corporate control. Hence the andolan. This is a peaceful satyagraha. They are now only focused on getting these three farm laws scrapped. The faster the government act on their demand, the better it is for all. Delay will only cause bitterness between both sides. For once, the farmers have shown unprecedented unity. The sooner the government realises this, more are the chances of maintaining peace, harmony, mutual respect and a fissure-free nation.
This Republic Day 2021 should be celebrated in peace and festivities. This Republic Day will stand testimony of how the farmers’ movement used democratic means, within the Constitution, to press for their demand to get these pro-corporate laws scrapped. This Republic Day is thus most important for the kisan andolan. But they need to be alert. No terrorist should be allowed to infiltrate. The farmers need to take responsibility for this. The goal is to maintain peace. It is only through peaceful methods that the farmers will succeed in their objective.
That satyagrahis have laid the foundation of this country is a point that the government needs to remember, understand and acknowledge.
The farmers want respect and equitable prosperity, based on their hard work and labour. This will not be possible through corporate raj. This will only be possible through their engagement and participation, formation of cooperatives and respectful and equitable partnerships.
We want a Peoples’ Republic – not a Corporate Republic. This then is the slogan for January 26, 2021.
*The writer, also known as the Waterman of India, is a renowned water conservationist. The opinions expressed are personal
