Union Cabinet Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar believes that farmers’ movements will be over soon. Well, he has been successfully able to pick a line and two from today’s happening that has shaken the foundation and character of the movement. Satnam Singh Pannu’s group is being blamed for today’s riot situation in Delhi effectively, wanting to take charge and control of the movement in their hands.
This might result in some serious infightings in the Bhartiya Kisan Union, led by Rakesh Tikait, as many might want to go the Pannu way, resulting in the movement becoming rudderless and leaderless. Tikat has a considerable clout in Western Uttar Pradesh and Haryana, as many progressive Jat communities have always stood beside him for a steady resolution of the agrarian distress and crisis. But, if this movement gets hijacked by certain sections of the Sikh population, as was evident today, then it would very well give the government a free hand in suppressing the support and strength enjoyed by these protestors.
A movement simply can’t succeed if there exists a bunch of conflict, chaos and contradiction, impacting channels of effective cooperation and collaboration between different stakeholders. The movement runs the risk of becoming leaderless and directionless, as for the aspirations and ambitions of the participants agreeing themselves to basic set of aims and objectives central to the movement. I believe restoring the faith and belief of individuals is important if the movement has to prosper, progress and proceed. One must get it clear, other than staying united, there is no other option and alternative for the sustenance and survival of this movement.
Don’t forget that the Centre can clamp down at any point of time, believing that it is justified in doing so for maintaining the face and force of authority and order. I request Tikat and Pannu to sort out whatever stands between them and work towards bettering the understanding of reality, not rhetoric.
The world is watching us.