Republic Day violence in Delhi:  BKU (Bhanu), Rashtriya Kisan Mazdoor Sangathan withdraw from farmers' protest

Announcing the move, Rashtriya Kisan Mazdoor Sangathan leader VM Singh said his organisation is withdrawing from the farmers' protest with immediate effect because the format of the protest in "unacceptable" to it, reports India Today.

Deploring the Republic Day violence in Delhi, especially at the Red Fort, Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh on Wednesday termed it an insult to the nation and said it had brought shame to the country and weakened farmers’ agitation, but made it clear that he continued to stand with the farmers as the Farm Laws were wrong and against India’s federal ethos.

Stressing that the Red Fort is a symbol of independent India and thousands of Indians had given up their lives for independence and to see the national flag flying atop the fort, the Chief Minister said Mahatma Gandhi had fought the entire war of independence through non-violence.

“My head hangs in shame at what happened yesterday in the national capital,” he said.

“Whoever has done it (indulged in violence at Red Fort) has brought shame to the country and Delhi Police should investigate and take action,” he said, adding that the Centre should also probe into the involvement, if any, of any political party or nation, while making sure that no farm leaders are unnecessarily targeted or harassed by the police.

Capt Amarinder declared that the future of Punjab’s youth lay in peace and recent developments had slowed down investment in the state.

Protests against farm laws: Farmer leaders to hold talk with protesters day after violence

Even as he demanded action against the perpetrators, who he said were not farmers but misguided youth indulging in symbolism, the Chief Minister said that such problems will continue to take place if the Government fails to listen to the voice of the people.

A government for the people and by the people cannot ignore the will of the people, he said, adding that the performance of the BJP-led NDA government at the Centre will not be acceptable in the next elections to the majority in a country where 70 per cent of the population is of farmers.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) should realise that stability and secularism, encompassing all minorities, is the key to inclusive growth of the nation and playing the Hindutva card will not lead to progress, he remarked.

“The Farm Laws are wrong, which is why we passed our own laws,” Capt Amarinder said, pointing out that Agriculture is a state subject, yet “we were not asked before introducing the Ordinances.”  

 Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar has strongly condemned the incident in Delhi especially on Red Fort on the occasion of Republic Day and said that the farmer’s protest has now gone out of the control of its leaders and has deviated from its direction.

The Chief Minister has also appealed the farmers to return to their homes after Tuesday's sad incident.

He said this after a special meeting of Haryana Cabinet convened Tuesday evening after the incidents occurred on the occasion of Republic Day.

He said that the whole cabinet is unanimous that people of the state together fail the nefarious intentions of anti-social elements and cooperate in maintaining peace and harmony in the country and the state.

Violent clashes erupted on Tuesday when a section of farmers decided to enter Delhi to register their protest against the three contentious farm laws, much ahead of the time they were granted permission by the Delhi police.

Dramatic scenes of violent clashes were witnessed when the farmers reached the ITO area of Central Delhi.

Braving the tear gas, lathicharge by police and breaking barricades, the protesters stormed into the heart of the national capital Delhi and captured the Red Fort as police seemed going outnumbered.

While the farmers claimed the deceased was hit by a bullet, police said he had died after his tractor overturned.

Footage of the incident showed the casualty resulted as the victim's tractor rammed into yellow Delhi Police barricades and overturned.

In some visuals, the dividers on the streets of Delhi were seen vandalised, allegedly by the farmers.

The farmers reportedly entered into Delhi through the routes which have not been allotted for the protesters.

The situation rapidly went out of control as farmers drove their tractors into the iconic Red Fort.

Protesting farmers climbed the ramparts and tried to put up yellow flags of Sikh religious significance.

It took hours for the police to remove the protesters from the 400-year-old Mughal-built monument.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday evening held a meeting with top security personnel to take stock of the situation.

Republic Day farmers' protest : Farmer killed as his tractor hits barricades, overturns, shows footage

In the meeting, a decision to deploy additional forces was taken, which was attended by Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla and Delhi Police Commissioner SN Srivastava.