attack on farmers

I am not able to understand, How to start writing infact what happened today in Chandigarh, has many dimensions, each of them equally important. From my middle class angle I can sum up the whole incident in two lines by saying it unfortunate or disturbance created by illiterate farmers. However, I have to ignore the fact that these illiterate people work hard in their fields in all adverse conditions and due to their hard work I am able to get food for my family.

But I have to analysis the whole incident with open mind then the first thought which came in my mind was that the failure of this so called pro-farmer government to secure the interest of poor farmers. The general phenomenon in the minds of the middle class people sitting in Chandigarh or such like cities is that the farmers in Punjab are getting heavy subsidies and free electricity but still they are not happy. Even some members of media are also victim of this phenomenon. That is why when Manpreet Badal speaks against the subsidies gets maximum of media coverage and middle class people appreciate him. The fact is that the most needed section is deprived of required benefit and support, which is clear from the fact that they gathered in Chandigarh in Large numbers.

Another dimension was regarding the media reports in news papers regarding less impact of drought in Punjab and Haryana. Most of the writers/columnists were amazed that there is lesser impact of drought. But the fact is that the farmers have put in their everything to save the crops. There cost of production will make it sure that they have to suffer heavy losses this year, what to talk of profit. Today what happened in Chandigarh was that a reward to the farmers for their contribution?

The attack on protesters is highly condemnable; the adamant and reckless attitude of the administration is responsible. One can find fault with the protesting farmers, but it is not to forget that maintaining the peace is the duty of administration and administration is supposed to act in a rational and responsible manner. The administration/governments might have equipped themselves with the authority to use force but they are not expected to use it as a matter of right especially when they are claiming themselves a democratic administration/government.

Today’s protest was not a sudden protest but the heat was being felt for so long. The callous attitude of administration forced them to come to Chandigarh. Though not clear but the most heard reason for the start of clash was the demand of farmers to sit on DHARNA at Matka Chowk. If it is true then the administration is solely responsible for the clash as they could have saved the whole unsavory incident by allowing them to sit on DHARNA at Matka Chowk. No government or authority or even courts have any right to take away the democratic right of the people to protest. Even the unconfirmed reports say that firstly the police used the tear gas. If true this unfortunate but one thing is sure that today’s incident will definitely reduce the faith in the minds of people like me that we are democratic nation.

HARINDER PAL SINGH ISHAR

Advocate,

Punjab & Haryana High Court

M-0091-991446678

hpsishar@gmail.com