India’s republic day turned into a battle ground onTuesday when after protesting farmers broke through police barricades to storm Delhi’s historic Red Fort complex. On foot and in tractors, the protesters were part of a huge rally planned for India’s Republic Day. Many protesters diverted from agreed routes and clashes broke out with police. One protester died and more than 80 police officers were injured.Mobile internet services were suspended in parts of Delhi and some metro stations closed as security forces scrambled to restore order.
The raising of the Sikh flag is being treated as an act of separatism by many, including key protest leaders. This is because the protests have been, by and large, peaceful and secular. Indeed, in a rarity for the Modi government, the assault on poor farmers has had little to do with religion and more with gratifying the BJP’s corporate backers. Notable protest leaders have been quick to blame instigators, including a Punjabi movie actor, but to their credit, have also accepted blame for their protest taking a violent turn, showing more maturity than most politicians.