More than the violence incited by anti-social elements in Farmer’s rally, rumors are creating heavy unrest and therefore, need extensive fact-checking.
January 26th, 2021 will go down in history as the most chaotic Republic Day India has ever witnessed. After months of agitation against what millions of protesting Indian farmers term as “Anti-Farmer” Farm Laws introduced by the Central government in September, 2020, the tractor rally gave a violent turn to the 2-month long sit in protest against the government at the borders of the national capital. In a heart-wrenching turn of events, farmers and Delhi Police clashed on the streets, as a faction of the protestors eventually stormed the historic Red Fort in the heart of the capital city.
However, more than the actual event, what is currently amplifying the unrest around the issue are rumors masquerading as reports on social media. Moreover, some TV News channels have been spreading contentious information and falsehoods leading to widespread confusion and polarization.
During these unprecedented times when rumors are running rampant here’s debunking 6 myths and falsehoods about the unrest and violence at the Republic Day Farmer’s Tractor Rally in New Delhi.
Demystifying 6 Claims around the Republic Day Farmers’ Tractor Rally Unrest circulating on Social Media
Claim 1: Farmers were stopped from entering Delhi despite the permission to protest
What Actually Happened?
The permission was to hold the rally after 11:30 A.M. once the Republic Day parade is completed. However, the few factions broke into the city between 7:00 am to 9:30 am. These protestors encountered barricades when they tried to enter the city, and then tear gas on the Singhu, Tikri and Ghazipur border. Heavily outnumbered, the meagre police resources tried to contain the hoards of barging protesters in an unsuccessful attempt.
Claim 2: Farmers pelted stones and overran policemen with tractors
What Actually Happened?
After reaching Sanjay Gandhi Transport Nagar at the GT Karnal Road, some groups of protesters decided to take a right turn and set about a different route. In an attempt to stop the protestors from taking the undecided route, police barricaded the roads and fired tear gas shells. In return, protestors drove tractors into barricades. Protestors pushed the cement blocks blocking their way aside with bare hands. Some protestors were seen pelted stones and throwing projectiles at the police personnel. A protester riding a horse was seen brandishing a sword to scare the police deployed on the roads.
Watch: Scenes from Clashes between Protesters and Police at the Farmers’ Republic Day Tractor Rally
Claim 3: Protestors broke Republic Day Parade Tableaus
What actually happened?
A website named The Tatva India circulated a video where a reporter interviews a man who is narrating how the protestors vandalized the dome of the tableau of Ram Mandir presented at Republic Day procession. However, there is no video proof of crowd indulging in any such act.
A careful analysis of the video reveals that there is no way that the tableau can remain untouched and intact from the base, without a single crack, while the dome at the height is broken. The video is false and believing any such information on social media that can create dangerous communal divide.
Claim 4: Famers supplanted the Tricolor on the Red Fort with “Khalistan flag”
What Actually Happened?
The flag hoisted by farmers on the Red Fort was not a Khalistan flag but the Nishan Sahib, which is the religious flag of the Sikh community which is at the forefront of the agitation. The difference between the Khalistani flag and Nishan Sahib flag is that the former has Khalistan written over it while the later has the two-edged dagger. Furthermore, the protestors did not remove the tricolor to hoist the Nishan Sahib flag. The video clearly reveals that a man climbs the pole which does not have a tricolor hoisted on it. The pole is not the prime pole where the national Indian flag is hoisted on Republic Day.
Watch: Sikh Religious Flag hoisted at Red Fort
Claim 5: Farm Unions supported the storming of the Red Fort and the flag hoisting.
What Actually Happened?
A faction of the participants of the tractor rally allegedly led by actor-activist Deep Sidhu and Gangster-turned-Activist Lakha Sidhana, led a faction to the Red Fort against the farmer leaders’ wishes, where the religious flag was hoisted aside the Indian tricolor. No pre-planned conspiracy has come to light as of now. Reports also suggest that Farmer Unions tried to stop the Sidhu and Sidhana. Samyukta Kisan Morcha, the group of 40 farm unions organizing the massive protest, released a statement clearing the air that they had no intentions of inciting violence and that anti-social elements are to be blamed.
The statement said: “We thank farmers for the unprecedented participation in today’s farmers’ Republic Day Parade. We also condemn and regret the undesirable and unacceptable events that have taken place today and dissociate ourselves from those indulging in such acts. Despite all our efforts, some organizations and individuals have violated the route and indulged in condemnable acts. Antisocial elements had infiltrated the otherwise peaceful movement. We have always held that peace is our biggest strength, and that any violation would hurt the movement.”
Watch: Farmers Protest Leaders condemn, dissociate from the violence
Claim 6: Sikh for Justice announced $350,000 reward to anyone who hoists Nishan Sahib on Parliament of India.
What Actually Happened?
A few media house and social media handles are spreading a post where pro-Khalistani secessionist outfit Sikhs for Justice SFJ’s notice announces a reward for anyone who hoists Nishan Sahib on Parliament and Indian Gate. However, no trusted source has confirmed the information, neither has the organization released any official statement confirming the rumor.
- Discretion is advised before believing any such dangerous rumors and murky claims related to the Farmers’ Republic Day Tractor Rally and the chaos that took place.
The post 6 Dodgy Claims About The Farmers Rally Violence On Social Media That You Should Watch Out For appeared first on DKODING.
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