By Shenaya B
The world is entering the knowledge revolution, making critical thinking and analyzing what the steam engine and telephone were to the Industrial revolution."Learn from your mistakes" they say but then humanity as a whole seems to be repeating the same mistakes in different contexts over time. In a time before the internet or such vast access to knowledge it would still be acceptable to see the same conflict repeat itself in another nation a century later. But now, in a society where we know what has happened in the past, the decision makers globally aren't able to comprehend them and use it to prevent future conflicts that follow the same preliminary motives. The ideological radicalization that occurred during the French revolution can be directly linked to the current social unrest in India, where the middle class or Bourgeoisie are unheard while being the main economic drivers and laborers of the country, making up the mass of the population. It is dangerous to make the masses unhappy.
The French revolution was characterized by the need for socio-political reform through the abolishment of feudalism and creation of a more equitable society (representation), which is the case in India. In the Ancien Regime the bourgeoisie and "peasants" were taxed the highest, while also faced with the highest labor burden, being the source of profit for the nation, exploited for their work. The Clergy and Nobles were not taxed even though they were the highest earners in society in the disproportionate system. A blueprint of this occurs through the progressive tax system in India, as one's income increases in documented sectors of work they are taxed higher - income tax, surcharge, GST, property tax, road tax etc. Essentially penalized for working hard, which also incentivizes corruption to evade taxes. However in India the undocumented labor sector of the lower socio-economic class is not taxed, placing a higher burden on the middle class. Yet they are not provided with the infrastructure and higher standard of living where they can even consider sending their children to public schools or government hospitals due to their quality, to save money. What are they paying the taxes for? This is the case for upper middle class folks, but lower middle class people have to send their children to such institutions with no other option.
The French revolution was defined by the middle classes' resistance to the oppressive policies of the Ancien regime, the protests against the CAA have the same trigger points against the government's repudiation of the nation's constitution. The Massacre of Champ de Mars where the citizens (mainly middle class) came together to sign a petition for the abdication of King Louis XVI, the National guard openly fired on them killing 50 people. Showcasing the inclination of the Monarchy to use violent means to suppress the political demands of the masses. This can directly be connected to the protests that followed the passing of the Citizens Amendment act in India 2019 that faced violent backlash from authorities. Students who were against the discrimination that it brought upon Muslims, were arrested, charged with terrorism and sedation. Repressing their voices, setting an example against any future protests. Even though the French government was an absolute Monarchy while India is technically a democratic republic the similarities in the subjugation seem to be uncanny, and so do the similarities in the people's response. The Tennis Court Oath was what brought the citizens together after the rejection of their stance in the initial Royal Senance, after that there was no turning back for the French government. For Indian citizens that what the CAA protests, that brought cross-section of society together.
The Women’s march on Versailles triggered by the high price of bread, where the women demanded more affordable food, was a vital moment in the revolution as the King became the prisoner of the people, forced to move back to Paris. This protest took place where the head of state was present. The contemporary version of this is the farmers' protests in India in the capital city of Delhi where farmers protested against the government's lack of commitments towards the promises made in 2020-21, demanding that they gain the capacity to make actual profit after waiving the debts. The ones who are benefiting from the debt waiving are the rich farmers who are the management not the laborers. Even though 59% of the people recognize the legality in their demands, no action is taken. Another instance of this is the Anti-corruption rallies led by Anna Hazare that symbolized the need for transparency from the government, holding the government accountable. Similar to the demands of reform during the French revolution of constitutionalism, Anna Hazare demanded establishment of strong Anti-corruption laws to take punitive actions against corrupt officials.
The principles of the French revolution were based on Bourgeois mobility (rights for the middle class) through violent radicalism as a means to impose their ideologies, which led to the insurrection of the Estate System. The storming of Bastille that radicalized the revolution began due to the fear of a Military coup, in retaliation the Rebels broke into the prison, killed the guards and armed themselves. This was an amalgamation of social, economic and political crisis, due to the fear instilled in them, and this is the exact moment the monarchy lost its power and significance completely. Although the conflict in India has not reached that breaking point yet, eventually if the government does not reflect back on what is deemed by the people as anti-citizen policies, it will. It is like increasing the pressure of a box filled with water at high altitude, eventually at a point of equilibrium the water will boil, which would mean the protestors are as armed as the government. From which point there would be no turning back to diplomatic and peaceful manners but only violent means of insurrection.
By Shenaya B
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