New Delhi, February 22, 2024: The ongoing farmers’ protest has been shocked by the death of 21-year-old Shubhkaran Singh in clashes with police at the Punjab-Haryana border, which has fueled determination, stoked anger, and demanded immediate action. Let’s examine the current developments and any possible consequences in more detail:
The Sad Event at Farmer's Protest Site:
Shubhkaran started the ‘Dilli Chalo’ march on February 13th, joining thousands of Punjabi farmers who were demanding reforms and a guarantee for the Minimum Support Price (MSP). Within eight days, catastrophe struck. Shubhkaran was killed during skirmishes with the Haryana Police near the Khanauri border. Farmers are refusing to allow the autopsy to be conducted until Shubhkaran is declared a martyr and receives compensation, so the precise cause of death is still being investigated.
Farmers claim that the Haryana Police have used excessive force, using rubber bullets, water cannons, and tear gas. They highlight the brutality they encountered by drawing eerie parallels to the Jallianwala Bagh massacre. The Haryana Police, meanwhile, insist they took appropriate action to contain the situation and deny any casualties.
Farmers Protest: How Shubhkaran Singh Allegedly Died In Kisan Andolan? What Was His Cause Of Death?#DNAVideos | #FarmerProtest | #Delhi | #HaryanaPolice
— DNA (@dna) February 22, 2024
For more videos, click here https://t.co/6ddeGFqM3o pic.twitter.com/FzTN9R8PPo
Farmer Leadership Calls for Action:
The protest leader, Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM), harshly denounced the event and held the government accountable for the “brutal assault” and its disregard for the December 2021 agreement. A pivotal meeting of the General Body and National Coordination Committee is currently in progress, during which the movement’s future course will be determined.
Political Repercussions of the incident:
Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann is being blamed by opposition parties in Punjab for his cooperation with the Haryana Police and his lack of action. They call for harsher penalties for accountable officials. The Congress party denounces the government’s social media crackdown, calling the incident a “murder of democracy”. Later on Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann done a press conference and told media “To those spreading threats and rumours, I want to tell that not once even if the President imposes the rule a hundred times… I will sacrifice a hundred chairs but will not let a single Shubhakaran die… I always stand with the people of Punjab. will stand…”
ਧਮਕੀਆਂ ਅਤੇ ਅਫ਼ਵਾਹਾਂ ਫੈਲਾਉਣ ਵਾਲਿਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਮੈਂ ਦੱਸ ਦੇਣਾ ਚਾਹੁੰਦਾ ਹਾਂ ਕਿ ਇੱਕ ਵਾਰ ਨਹੀਂ ਭਾਵੇਂ ਸੌ ਵਾਰ ਰਾਸ਼ਟਰਪਤੀ ਰਾਜ ਲਗਾ ਦਿਓ... ਮੈਂ ਸੌ ਕੁਰਸੀਆਂ ਕੁਰਬਾਨ ਕਰ ਦੇਵਾਂਗਾ ਪਰ ਇੱਕ ਵੀ ਸ਼ੁੱਭਕਰਨ ਮਰਨ ਨਹੀਂ ਦੇਣਾ... ਮੈਂ ਹਮੇਸ਼ਾ ਪੰਜਾਬ ਦੇ ਲੋਕਾਂ ਨਾਲ ਖੜ੍ਹਾ ਹਾਂ ਤੇ ਖੜ੍ਹਾ ਰਹੁੰਗਾ... pic.twitter.com/SV5makLW8q
— Bhagwant Mann (@BhagwantMann) February 21, 2024
Farmer's Protest : Social Media Silencing:
X (formerly Twitter), complying with a government order, blocked 177 accounts linked to the protest despite expressing concerns about freedom of expression and transparency. This move fuels criticism from opposition parties and raises questions about democratic rights.
The Indian government has issued executive orders requiring X to act on specific accounts and posts, subject to potential penalties including significant fines and imprisonment.
— Global Government Affairs (@GlobalAffairs) February 21, 2024
In compliance with the orders, we will withhold these accounts and posts in India alone; however,…
The tragic death has not dampened the farmers’ spirit; instead, it has strengthened their resolve. While the ‘Dilli Chalo’ march is temporarily suspended, plans for decisive action are being formulated. Demonstrations across various states are anticipated, putting further pressure on the government to address their demands.
The coming days hold uncertainty. Increased protests, potential clashes, and intensified pressure on the government are likely scenarios. Legal challenges to the social media restrictions are also a possibility.
There is more to this incident than just one death. It draws attention to the simmering dissatisfaction among farmers, the complexity of the demonstration, and the continuous fight for their rights. It is critical to comprehend the underlying narratives and possible outcomes as the situation develops.
