(1/16): The #FarmersProtest has done a great job exposing a morally corrupt government in India, but also demonstrating the growing frustration of many minority groups who are subject to such harsh and inhumane treatment.

(2/16): The government has made it clear that their only concern is protecting their own power, not the welfare of their people. A reoccurring theme that has gained a lot of attention has been the issue with Hindu Nationalism dominating the nation’s culture and politics.

(3/16): Historically, Hindu nationalism created a safe and comfortable space for itself dating back to British Raj where the British solidified religious boundaries, encouraging its colonial subjects to see themselves and others in this light.

(4/16): But nationalistic ideals were amplified even more during the 1947 Partition of India and Pakistan. After WW2, the British couldn’t continue supporting its colonies while working through its own economic problems.

(5/16): The British needed a quick and easy way to withdraw its support for India so the colonial powers presented Indian/Pakistani officials with a rigid ultimatum. Essentially, strong holding minority groups into accepting the fate of their country.

(6/16): This meant that partition wasn't liberation for all people living in India, but instead was a “transfer of occupying powers”(Bardi 2018). Since partition, leadership in India has been dominated by a majority of Hindu nationalists who seek to create a national identity

(7/16): based on non-secular ideas, with the intention of establishing a Hindu nation-state. A leading group which has been the force behind Hindu nationalism today has been The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).

(8/16): This organization was founded 94 years ago by a group of men who became infatuated with Mussolini’s fascism. Today, the RSS has about 4 million (potentially even more) supporters who are all dedicated to the same nationalistic cause.

(9/16): The RSS has often been affiliated with the governing political party, the BJP, which is led by none other than, Narendra Modi – India’s PM. Under Modi’s rule, many different minority groups (Muslims, Sikhs, Buddhists, and many more)

(10/16): have been further marginalized, experiencing nothing but exploitation and violence at the hands of the government. In a study done by the National Human Rights Commission, 2008 cases of harassment of minorities and Dalits were recorded between 2016-2019.

(11/16): This is why its really problematic when celebrities like @priyankachopra call India a “thriving Democracy” because as history has shown India is far from a democratic state. Not only are claims like this harmful, but dismissive of the lived experiences of many minorities

(12/16): @priyankachopra 's attempt at ‘raising awareness’ becomes nothing but preformative.

(13/16): These Agricultural bills are extremely harmful to the livelihood of the farmers protesting right now as they belong to several different marginalized groups. If these bills were to go into effect, farmers would be at the mercy of large corporations.

(14/16): Many of the protesters lack the resources to bargain with big businesses which may put them further into debt, pushing them to sell their farms for a source of income. Eventually all the farmland would be replaced by corporations, forcing many of the farmers into POVERTY

(15/16): This means the RSS & Modi would be successful in ERASING an entire group of people. It wouldn't be the first time Modi has been responsible for such violence. RE: https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/apr/07/narendra-modi-massacre-next-prime-minister-india

(16/16): Which is why its imperative we look at this movement with a critical lens. There are many underlying issues which have been a direct result of colonialism and it’s time we start to deconstruct colonial narratives and our own histories. #StandWithFarmers #Tractor2Twitter