THE open and forceful assertion by the United States embassy in New Delhi to the Government’s efforts to resolve the current impasse over farmers’ protests comes at a very right moment when vested interests are trying conspiratorially to drum up ill-informed support to the agitating farmers by so-called foreign celebrities. The American embassy has said in a clear-worded statement that it favours dialogue between the Government (of India) and the farmers. The embassy statement also recognises that the new legislations on agriculture is aimed at improving the efficiency of the Indian markets. This assertion has its own importance for India in the current moment when some anti-national forces are trying to create and sustain confusion in the country and abroad.

 

The Hitavada has taken a firm position on this issue by likening the current farmers’ agitation as an anti-national movement akin to the infamous Shaheenbag episode. We have believed unquestionably that the current protests are least guided by genuine interest in farmers’ welfare but are being promoted by politically-motivated elements whose aim is to create disturbances in the country. The agitating ‘farmers’ proved their negative credentials when they resorted to violence on the Republic Day and even insulted the national flag when one of them climbed the flag-pole at Red Fort and unfurled some other flag there. This one single act, in addition to other acts of violence, proves beyond doubt the uncouth credentials of the agitators.

 

It is against this background that the statement by the US embassy has come, adding strength to the Government’s position that the issue must be sorted out only through dialogue as an essential tool of democracy.

 

It is only natural that India has thanked the US for its latest position. Just a few days ago, when Mr. Joe Biden was preparing to take over as new President, Washington DC saw an unprecedented spell of violence and lawlessness at the Capitol Hill and other places. It is also, therefore, quite natural that India draws a parallel between what happened in New Delhi on Republic Day and in Washington DC prior to the transition in US presidency. Both the episodes point to attempts to subvert democracy and support lawlessness.

 

The statements by various so-called foreign celebrities in support of farmers’ agitation is an obvious attempt to interfere in India’s internal matters on a terribly ill-informed basis. It is more than clear that these persons know nothing about the issue in dispute but have been goaded by vested interests to make statements that make little sense. Given this reality, Ms. Hemal Malini, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Member of Parliament and a noted film and art personality, has called the spade a spade when she insisted that most of the so-called foreign celebrities know India only by name and nothing more. Yet, when such persons make statements, they do so only because they have been goaded by some powers that they must please.

 

May this be made clear here that India did not wait for the American endorsement of its efforts to sort out the issue through dialogue. Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi himself has said openly that he or anybody in the Government is only a phone call away to be approached by the agitators. The Government had made a similar offer when the Citizenship Amendment Act issue, too, was on the boil. But the agitators did not accept the offer then and they are dodging it now. Thus, they are only acting against the fundamental principle of democracy that any issue can be resolved through conversation and not cantankerousness or violence.

 

Yet, may the American assertion act as an eye-opener for the agitators whose only aim is to destabilise the Government somehow. All anti-Modi forces are gathering under the farmers’ banner but have no interest of the farming community in their hearts. Their thought and action indicate only a politically-driven agenda -- which is slated not to succeed.