Yesterday marked the 6th month anniversary of the so-called ‘Farmers Protest’ and just like any other person excited for an occasion, the farmers too set out to celebrate this milestone. Only, the celebrations with black flags and ‘Mar ja Modi’ slogans were carried amidst a pandemic. 

So what does that mean for us? Well, nothing! And that’s one of the biggest disadvantages of a democracy. Nothing much can be done about a raging and rising mobocracy, holding the nation ransom for every democratic change, inconvenient to them.

The Azad Maidan and Jantar Mantar are bygones. Very little can be achieved by sitting packed in a corner, holding placards and chanting slogans. “Modern problems require modern solutions.”

Shaheen Bagh was a test run. Successful. Well almost. Had the unfortunate pandemic not hit the country, we would have been witness to joint langars and iftars at the Delhi border.

So, is it that easy for the mob to occupy and block highways leading to or within the National Capital for months together? Not for us certainly, but if you go to see this is so much more easy for the Break India Forces to execute. 

There was a time when one had to go to jail for setting public property on fire, smashing vehicles or hurling stones simply to register their protest against the government. Now all they have to do is station themselves in AC fitted makeshift tents that too in shifts. 

Yes, the farmers at the Tikri and Singhu borders protest in shifts! Most villages from Punjab are made to participate in the protests. A lot of 15-20 are sent at once while the remaining villagers stay back for farming and carry out the day to day business. Two weeks later, they swap their duties. How organized.

The professional protestors, unlike the poor rioters who are at perpetual risk of getting their bones broken, are experiencing the real essence of camping with bae. Booze, food, music and dance. Wait. What Farm Laws?

While the so-called farmers ‘protest’ at the borders, their families back home seemed to be equally enthusiastic over Direct Benefit Transfers implemented for the very first time in the state, despite the Centre urging the Captain Amarinder Singh government to implement the same since 2016.

Also, don’t forget the international coverage one receives while totally disrupting the law and order causing inconvenience to your very own citizens. Be it Shaheen Bagh wali dadi on ‘Times’ cover or Rihanna’s Tweet in your support. 

But I am sure the mob’s not out there for the paparazzi. So, what if a farmer leader first threatened to commit suicide and then went on to get inoculated to keep the lethal Covid-19 at bay. 

Makes me wonder why farmers from across the nation are not demanding their share in this well-funded glitz and glamor supported by Hollywood actors, foreign activists, influential political personalities of the US. and of course our very own leftists. 

I mean who would have thought, the creator of fictional movie series ‘Harry Potter’- JK Rowling would make a six figure donation to Khalsa Aid, a ‘charitable organization’ that has stayed at the forefront of the protest. 

Fairy tales apart…What does this mean for our nation, our national capital, us and the rural regions of Punjab and Haryana which are witnessing the wrath of the pandemic? Wait for my next piece 🙂

DISCLAIMER: The views expressed are personal.