New Delhi: Congress leaders Tuesday condemned the violent clashes between farmers and the Delhi Police during the tractor rally, and criticised the hoisting of a religious flag at the Red Fort.
The Congress party has been a vociferous supporter of the farmers’ protests, against the Narendra Modi government’s three contentious farm laws, which have been going on for almost two months now.
However, after the violent clashes, several party leaders have criticised the rally.
Congress’ chief spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala released a statement Tuesday evening and condemned the violence.
“There is no place for such incidents in the country… The protestors need to keep their ultimate goal in mind. Non-violence and satyagraha has been the biggest strength of this movement,” the statement read.
Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh also called the violence by “some elements” unacceptable and urged “genuine farmers” to vacate Delhi and return to the borders.
Shocking scenes in Delhi. The violence by some elements is unacceptable. It'll negate goodwill generated by peacefully protesting farmers. Kisan leaders have disassociated themselves & suspended #TractorRally. I urge all genuine farmers to vacate Delhi & return to borders.
— Capt.Amarinder Singh (@capt_amarinder) January 26, 2021
Meanwhile, senior party leader and MP Shashi Tharoor called the hoisting of the Nishan Sahib, a religious saffron flag, “most unfortunate” and said that “no flag but the sacred tiranga should fly aloft the Red Fort”.
Most unfortunate. I have supported the farmers’ protests from the start but I cannot condone lawlessness. And on #RepublicDay no flag but the sacred tiranga should fly aloft the Red Fort. https://t.co/C7CjrVeDw7
— Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) January 26, 2021
The Assam Congress president Ripun Bora also tweeted against the unfurling of the saffron flag at the Red Fort and said that “farmers should have refrained from doing this”.
Unfurling of any flag other than our Tirangaa at the Red Fort is very very unfortunate. The farmers should have refrained from doing this. #FarmersProtest
— Ripun Bora (@ripunbora) January 26, 2021
Congress’ national spokesperson Jaiveer Shergill added that there was place for only one flag at the monument — the Tricolour.
There is place for only ONE FLAG at the Red Fort & that is our Tricolour -Tiranga;hoisting/putting of any other flag irrespective of demands is unacceptable.We all serve the Nation & nothing else is above that-People resorting to such tactics are hurting the cause of the farmers.
— Jaiveer Shergill (@JaiveerShergill) January 26, 2021
Former Congress president Rahul Gandhi is yet to comment on hoisting of the saffron flag, but in a tweet Tuesday afternoon, he said “violence is not the solution for anything”.
“No matter who gets hurt, it is the country’s loss. Take back the anti-farmer laws!” he had tweeted.
हिंसा किसी समस्या का हल नहीं है। चोट किसी को भी लगे, नुक़सान हमारे देश का ही होगा।
देशहित के लिए कृषि-विरोधी क़ानून वापस लो!
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) January 26, 2021
The tractor rally by farmers Tuesday took a violent turn after farmers deviated from the designated route and reached ITO and Red Fort, located in central Delhi.
The Delhi Police lobbed tear gas shells and resorted to lathi-charge in an attempt to halt the farmers but they were unsuccessful. One farmer even died at ITO after his tractor overturned, according to the police.
Also read: All about Nishan Sahib, the saffron flag hoisted by protesting farmers at Red Fort
‘No place for any other flag’ — Congress
Supriya Shrinate, national spokesperson of the Congress, said the party does not endorse or support any kind of violence.
“However, we are extremely surprised how not a single incident marred the farmers’ protests when they have been sitting at the border for two months now. And the minute they enter Delhi, this happens. One assumes there would have been some preparation done by the home ministry to ensure the law and order situation doesn’t go out of hand. How did this happen then? It is clearly a lapse in security,” Shrinate told ThePrint.
Shrinate also criticised the hoisting of the Nishan Sahib at the Red Fort by some protesting farmers, and said that there was only place for the national flag at the monument.
“We are glad that the national flag continues to fly aloft at the Red Fort. It is the only flag we respect, honour and are willing to die for. We are happy that it has not been replaced. But there is no place for any other flag there, except the national flag,” she added.
Also read: Amit Shah holds review meeting following violence between protesting farmers & Delhi Police
What a joke!
Does the author write from INC national headquarters? Because thats the impression I get everytime. Shameful. This will have such ramifications which many politcal parties will regret. The ballot will speak with a renewed vigor.
Same ultra left wing radicals and jihadist and journalists part of the same gang under instructions from pakistani and chinese handlers wanted to create chaos and bloodshed.
A SALUTE to MODIJI who exposed this plot by ensuring that this people exposed themselves.
No place for such incidents’ — Congress condemns violence at farmers’ tractor rally.
Do you really expect your readers to believe this? You think we are all fools?