Violence torpedoes aims, goals of movements

This picture has been used for representational purpose

The farmers' protest, especially the Republic Day violence, has dominated the news. While the issue is still simmering, on the Mumbai front, there have been a number of organisations supporting the movement.

There have been calls for gatherings at Bandra in the recent past, meetings have been held at Azad Maidan. The workers had gathered at Azad Maidan, with supporters claiming that the "epic" farmer-led struggle had entered its 56th day. They claimed that the Samyukt Kisan Morcha, the central body that represents the farmers, had given an all-India call to intensify the struggle.

While it was important that the protesters make their point, and that such gatherings be allowed in a democratic society, what we learnt from a report in this paper, is that violence really torpedoes aims and goals of any movement.

When certain Mumbai supporters were asked about the violence on Republic Day, they dissociated themselves from it, but blamed the central government for orchestrating it, in some ways. There were a couple of people though, who did accede that it took away from the movement, and in some ways, certainly did weaken the momentum built over many weeks.

Whatever be your stand, it showed that any protest or agitation which is marked by large-scale violence, in fact, boomerangs many a time. It is not just the farmers' protest but other protests too, whether big or small, that may be eclipsed by violence. It is then that vandalism, destruction and deaths take centre stage, the real cause gets overshadowed, the bigger picture is obliterated and doubts start creeping into the common man's mind on whether this is justified.

We have seen agitators destroy this city before over various issues. The point of the protest may have been fair for many, but the wanton violence took precedence and nullified undoing any wrong.