Ashok Sharma
Sikh farmer leaders talk at Singhu, the Delhi-Haryana border camp for protesting farmers against three farm bills, in New Delhi, India, Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2021. Leaders of a protest movement sought Wednesday to distance themselves from a day of violence when thousands of farmers stormed India s historic Red Fort, the most dramatic moment in two months of demonstrations that have grown into a major challenge of Prime Minister Narendra Modiâs government. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup) January 27, 2021 - 7:26 AM
NEW DELHI - Leaders of a protest movement sought Wednesday to distance themselves from a day of violence when thousands of farmers stormed India s historic Red Fort, the most dramatic moment in two months of demonstrations that have grown into a major challenge of Prime Minister Narendra Modiâs government.
NEW DELHI (AP) Leaders of a protest movement sought Wednesday to distance themselves from a day of violence when thousands of farmers stormed India s historic Red Fort, the most dramatic moment in two months of demonstrations that have grown into a major challenge of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government.
Farmers demanding the repeal of new agricultural laws briefly took over of the 17th-century fort, and images broadcast live on television shocked the nation. In a particularly bold rebuke to Modi’s Hindu-nationalist government, the protesters hoisted a Sikh religious flag.
At least one protester died, and several demonstrators were injured, as were more than 390 police officers, and there are concerns the violence could undermine the protest movement that has thus far been largely peaceful and is growing in strength.