With the Union government failing to reach an agreement with protesting farmers even after nearly a dozen rounds of discussions, the opposition parties had been looking to expand their role in the campaign—from cheerleaders to active political agitators. This was evident from how Congress leader Rahul Gandhi led his party’s allout attack against the Narendra Modi government, accusing it of trying to “put the farming sector into the pockets” of a few industrial houses through controversial laws. Sharad Pawar, Rahul’s ally and former Union agriculture minister, addressed a huge gathering of farmers in Mumbai, where he criticised the Centre for not paying heed to their concerns.
Emphasising the non-violent nature of the farmer agitation, the opposition parties had described it as “satyagraha”. They had hoped that the protests would prove to be the Modi government’s ‘India Against Corruption’ moment. Parallels were drawn between the farmer unrest and the Anna Hazare-led anti-corruption movement, which led to the fall of the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance government in 2014. Just as in Hazare’s campaign, public sentiment appeared to be in favour of the farmers. Their demands resonated on social media, and the agitation received endorsements from celebrities and politicians, even though the farmers kept the latter at arm’s length.
Then came the mayhem on Republic Day. A large number of protesting farmers deviated from the agreed upon route for their tractor rally, entered the heart of the capital, clashed with the police, stormed the iconic Red Fort and hoisted the Nishan Sahib, the flag of the Sikh community. It forced the opposition to step back and adopt a guarded stance.
Bu hikaye THE WEEK dergisinin February 07, 2021 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye THE WEEK dergisinin February 07, 2021 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
A golden girl
One of India's most formidable beauties passed away earlier this month. The odd thing is she would absolutely hate this obituary; she hated being written about and avoided publicity for all of her nine decades. Indira Aswani was 93 when she died. But anyone who encountered her, even briefly, was in such awe of her grace and poise, and one could not but remember her forever.
The interest in wine is growing delightfully in India
The renowned British wine writer and television presenter Jancis Robinson, 74, recently came to Delhi and Mumbai to reacquaint herself with India's wine industry. This was the Robinson's fourth visit to India; the last one was seven years ago. On this trip, Robinson and her husband, restaurateur Nicholas Lander, were hosted by the Taj Hotels and Sonal Holland, India's only Master of Wine.
United in the states
Indian-Americans coming together under the Democratic umbrella could get Harris over the line in key battlegrounds
COVER DRIVE
Usage-driven motor insurance policies offer several benefits
GDP as the only measure of progress is illogical
Dasho Karma Ura, one of the world's leading happiness experts, has guided Bhutan's unique gross national happiness (GNH) project. He uses empirical data to show that money cannot buy happiness in all circumstances, rather it is family and health that have the strongest positive effect on happiness. Excerpts from an interview:
India is not a controlling big brother
Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay considers India a benevolent elder sibling as the \"big brotherly attitude\" is happily missing from bilateral ties. He thinks the relationship shared by the two countries has become a model of friendship not just for the region, but for the entire world. \"India's attitude is definitely not of a big brother who is controlling and does not allow the little brother to blossom and grow,\" says Tobgay in an exclusive interview with THE WEEK.
Comrade with no foes
Lal Salaam, Comrade Yechury-you were quite a guy!
Pinning down saffron
In her first political bout, Vinesh Phogat rides on the anti-BJP sentiment across Haryana
MAKE IN MANIPUR
Home-made rockets and weapons from across the border are escalating the conflict
SAHEB LOSES STEAM
Coalition dynamics and poor electoral prospects continue to diminish Ajit Pawar's political stock