New Delhi, Jan 26: Chaos unleashed on the day of India's one of the biggest ceremonial event, January 26, 2021. Thousands of farmers breached barricades and proceeded towards Delhi amid a huge police presence as they kicked off their tractor rally on Republic Day.
However, the rally turned into full of chaos on the streets in the national capital as farmers flouted the designated route and marched towards the Parliament and Red Fort, and started raising flags from ramparts of the fort.
Delhi Police appealed to protesting farmers to not take the law into their hands, ask them to maintain peace, and head back to their pre-decided routes for tractor parade. However, protestors hoisted a flag at the Red Fort in Delhi.
The protestors also resorted to vandalism as they ran amok on the highways, attacking the trucks and breaking the barricades that were put up by the Delhi police to control their route. As disorder took place in the city’s borders, protesters were baton-charged and tear-gassed by the policemen on duty.
The crisis was caused after the protesters who were allowed to hold the “Kisaan Parade” between 12 to 5 PM, started the march much before the allotted time. It should be noted that the Pro-Khalistani secessionist outfit Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) did not with the agreed-upon route. It must be noted that the route decided by the Delhi Police for allowing the demonstrators a peaceful march on Republic Day did not involve the route to Red Fort. In fact, it was banned SFJ’s call for the protesters to march towards the Red Fort.
SFJ had also announced a cash reward of USD 2,50,000 for hoisting the Khalistan flag on January 26 at the India Gate on Republic Day. Meanwhile, the Government of India has blocked the website shared by Khalistani group Sikhs for Justice in a letter to farmers protesting against Centre’s agriculture laws.