Farmers' Protests: Cops Name Medha Patkar In Tractor Rally FIR

Medha Patkar In Tractor Rally FIR: Social activist Medha Patkar has been named in Delhi Police's FIR, alongside other leaders, in connection to the violence that broke out during the farmers' tractor parade in the national capital on January 26. Over 30 persons, identified as farm leaders, have reportedly been held responsible for the farmers' rally deviating from designated routes and alleged attempts at disrupting the Republic Day parade.  

Alongside Patkar, the FIR also mentions activist Yogendra Yadav and Bharatiya Kisan Union leader Rakesh Tikait. Speaking to news channel Times Now, Patkar was quoted saying, "We condemn any and every violence. But this violence was not on part of the Samyukta Kisan Morcha ... We were very careful in planning. This is a political strategy, but also a law and order strategy." Yadav, as per TOI, said he was "ashamed" at the tractor rally chaos and took "responsibility" for the incidents. 

37 farmer leaders incl Medha Patkar, Buta Singh, Yogendra Yadav held responsible for yesterday's violence, in one of the FIRs by Delhi Police. FIR states that acts like not following mutually agreed route & timing of farmers' rally to disrupt R-Day parade were done: Delhi Police

— ANI (@ANI) January 27, 2021

Patkar also adds, "As someone who has faith in Gandhi and the Gandhian model of economy, we will on January 30 pay tributes to martyrs and the freedom movement," calling the ongoing farmers' agitation against the centre's controversial farm laws "a new freedom movement." 

The farmers' tractor rally has become the subject of much scrutiny after clashes between police personnel and agitators in some parts of Delhi reportedly turned violent on January 26. According to NDTV, over 80 security officials were left injured, while one protestor died. 22 FIRs have been filed with 200 people detained, Indian Express reports. 

Who Is Medha Patkar? 

Medha Patkar is best-known as the name behind the Narmada Bachao Andolan movement that began three decades ago to protect the life and livelihood of tribal populations along the Narmada River. She has spearheaded several protests and social causes over the years, themed around gender, communalism, Dalits, and farmers. In 2017, she sat on an indefinite fast against the Sardar Sarovar Dam in Dhar district, from where she was forcibly removed.