Nearly 200 students, trade unionists and activists of a slew of left-oriented bodies and independent citizens staged a dharna in the heart of the buzzing office arcade of Mandi House as they were barricaded by the Delhi police from marching to Jantar Mantar. Apprehending trouble, the Delhi Police, now under pressure for inaction had deputed special forces and had also kept tear gas units and water cannon vehicles on standby. Gurmeet Singh of WSN Delhi desk reports.

All roads around Mandi House and Jantar Mantar were blocked, yet the protestors managed to sit-in and voice the concerns of the farmers, despite the police threatening use of force to disperse them saying that Section 144 IPC was in place. Attempts by this reporter to ask the police as to why they were imposing restrictions against the peaceful protest did not elicit any response.

Armed with hope in their minds and hearts, the protestors sat in groups, sang, danced and shouted slogans against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his government. The activists carried banners, posters, placards against the farm laws, against the tyrant government. They sang songs for the solidarity of farmers and against the fascist regime. The energy was spellbinding and everyone participated with passion and enthusiasm.

A lady with her 5-year-old child became the centre of attraction. All participating groups condemned the arrests of farmers and their supporters by the Delhi police. They sought the release of those arrested, swift action for tracing those who are missing and punitive action against goons who had beaten up farmers under police protection and cover. Speakers sought the release of Nodeep Kaur who has been illegally arrested by the Haryana Police for many weeks.

Many Union leaders and cadre came from as far as People also joined in from the states of Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Bihar. Speaking to WSN, a trade union leader from Bihar said, “This is a decisive battle and they will leave no stone unturned.”

Student activists spoke about the divide and rule policy and how the state police and administrative machinery tag people as anti-nationals to polarise their support. They said that this was an old tactic of right-wing ultra-nationalistic forces.

He added that the Modi Government has used all its resources but they have been failing time and again. They first failed to convince the farmers in talks, then they failed in their false propaganda, now they will fail in their pseudo-patriotism weapon.

The crowd overwhelmingly acknowledged that they will fight to save the land of the farmers and the poor of India. The protestors were unafraid of any police brutality and ignored the announcements of vacating the area.

The firebrand activists were zealously singing “Hum Honge Kamyaab, Ek Din” -We will succeed one day. Sooner than later.