EVENT [MN]: 2006 Financial Crisis Protests - India

[Connor]

Crowds begin to accumulate in Raisina Hill, India​

'Financial Crisis'. Two words that are often spilled from the mouths of the media and those with little knowledge of international economics. Two words that have similarly run through conversations in cabinet offices worldwide as India and Russia simultaneously reach levels of debt unprecedented in modern economics - certainly levels that haven't been seen for over a decade. One thing is for certain however: the coffers are well and truly empty. The public want answers... and quickly.

As the run rises in New Delhi, the flood of reports in relation to the financial situation in India have started feeding the minds of activists throughout the country from the Himalayas right down to the Laccadive Sea. Social media oney fed this storm as groups throughout the country agree a place and time to make their voice heard. Their target? The Indian Ministry of Finance, conveniently housed within Cabinet Secretariat, Raisina Hill, New Delhi alongside many of the most important offices and ministries of the Government of India - all with their own individual and carefully curated piece of the pie. Through their various forums, blogs, websites and social media platforms the time and place was agreed - the vast open space of Raisina Hill meant they were sure to be heard if they came out in force. Initially, a group of approximately 400 activists would join together. They wanted their cause to be seen and heard, so they wasted no time in creating their own placards: some were painted at home on their dining tables, some printed in professional formats and some choosing a permanent marker on whatever material they could get their hands on. The international public media would be tipped off prior to their arrival, alongside a number of not-so-subtle Twitter posts to add to the mission. Peaceful protest was their objective: holding their government to account.

The group, having made their way to New Delhi by whatever means was easiest for them, would all meet outside the Cabinet Secretariat. Their banners, flags and placards clear to see.

Initially, they would begin to swarm the main entrance to the building, linking arms across the public sidewalks as if they were part of some form of dancing flash mob. Their demeanour was calm, inviting and pure. They would actively ensure passive obstruction to the general movement of personnel and members of the public seeking services in the key government facility albeit not so much so that they'd totally prevent access.

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The Finance Department had been in crisis-control mode ever since the news of the country's financial state had leaked. Many government personnel, of all Departments, had been put on temporary probation or had left on their own prerogative as salaries was unable to be paid and the utilities of government buildings were unable to be secured.

As the crowd approaches the Cabinet Secretariat's outer cordon, the small group of Delhi Police that hadn't deserted their post would read the posters, look at each other and join the activists in both protesting, or protecting the activists. As the outer protection of the Cabinet Secretariat, the protestors would have to get through what remains of the Central Industrial Security Force's security presence to enter the buildings and disrupt the government.

As the group of over 700 protestors approached within 20 metres of the Cabinet Secretariat, headed by the few armed Police, the CISF personnel would stop the group. Raising their rifles slightly, they would be ordered by their superior to physically block the protesters and Police from moving forward. Exchanging glances with one another, the CISF personnel would notice the peaceful nature of the protestors and start questioning whether their job was worth their dignity and respect, and more importantly, the dignity and respect of their fellow Indians.

Seeing these looks, their superior officer yelled over the dim at the security personnel, "Your country is behind you! Hold!" The security personnel would put their rifles back on safe, then would hold them by their barrel shroud and turn to let the protestors into the Cabinet Secretariat. The CISF officer would pull out his pistol and would widely aim it at the protesters and Police, before being punched and knocked out by the second-in-command of the CISF detachment.

Once entering the building, the activists would find it almost devoid of people, as the government couldn't afford to keep people manning the Cabinet Secretariat's power stations, nor could they afford to keep the government buildings at even 50% staff.

Connor

 

[Bossza007]

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Statement on the 2006 Financial Crisis in the Gandhi Empire​

Published by the Republic Thai Embassy in New Delhi​

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The Republic Thai Embassy in New Delhi expresses its profound concern over the deepening sovereign default of the Gandhi Empire, in which the country has accumulated over 103 billion USD in debt. Such a number exceeds all USD in global circulation by more than a billion USD. This consequence of extremely irresponsible spending raises a pertinent question of the Gandhi Empire’s capacity to uphold its bilateral obligations as mandated by the Treaty of Amity with the Socialist Republic of Thailand.

As India’s key industrial sectors collapsed and halted essential production, Thailand must diversify new trading partners as India cannot deliver Copper Cathode, Copper Wiring, Rubber, and Plastic up to six percent lower than the market price to our democratically planned economy. The Republic Thai Embassy also cautions its citizens traveling inside India under a preferential 90-day visa-on-arrival arrangement. We are uncertain whether the Indian government can guarantee equal treatment of Thai passport holders akin to its citizens under a binding bilateral obligation.

The Socialist Republic of Thailand urges the Indian authorities to prioritize fundamental human rights and civil liberties in responding to the escalating protest in New Delhi. We remain convinced that the people are the sole arbiter of any nation’s sovereignty. Thailand’s obligation under the Treaty of Amity is resolute; we respect non-interference yet recognize cooperation is necessary to address regional issues of social injustice and economic inequality. The Republic Thai Embassy in New Delhi continues observing the unfolding situation in the Gandhi Empire and is ready to act as a safe sanctuary for any activists facing political persecution.​

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The Foreign Affairs Ministry of the Socialist Republic of Thailand​

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[Connor]

Needless to say the Deli Police officers, who the group anticipated to be their first obstruction to their objective, joining the group only added fuel to their already raging fire of frustration. The officers were accepted by the wider group, some of the younger members seizing opportunity to make a mockery of them my removing badges, hats and anything they could reasonably remove from them that donned any form of government identity, throwing it to the floor as an indication of their defiance to the law in this situation. They were very quickly becoming engulf in the herd mentality. Now equipped with law enforcement within the group, many would start to adopt a sense of being untouchable, growing increasingly rowdy with their chants as they grow ever closer to the main building. The group had grown and as the day progressed more and more would turn up with the intention to initially see whether what was circling social media was actually true.

It was reasonable to assume that some were stragglers on the outskirts of the main group - fearful that their actions may lead to arrest or severe personal consequences. Some would simply stand with friends and watch, others filming, some throwing the odd irrational comment into the crowd and giggling amongst themselves. A younger generation had began to take interest in the excitement - a potential opportunity to be michevous.

As they reached the armed officers and the firearms were directed to the crowd and overwhelming blanket of anger and adrenaline would run across the crowd, particularly those at the front who were nose-to-nose with these officers. The hostility began to grow rapidly in this moment as some from the back would hurl soft items quickly in their possession over the heads of the hundreds ahead of them - the odd sandwich or water bottle would fly before the firearms officers, more than likely missing them with the random launch from such a distance. This did nothing other than encourage others to do the same, but not so much so that it caused any continued barrage. Their chants would become abuse in this moment, shouting words to the effect of "SHOOT US" and "SUPPORT YOUR COUNTRY". As soon as these officers conceded it would again add fuel to their passion - charging into the building without obstruction.

By this point the crowd would truly feel untouchable, managing to adopt police officers into their mix, overpowering armed officers tasked with defending the building and now having reached the main plaza.

By and large they would begin to storm the building, demanding to know where senior political figures were hiding within the building by questioning employees they came across. Although, as expected, the building was largely deserted with only the core functions of government having the money to actually operate in any semi-reasonable capacity. With no sign of central government making any response, many of the youth within the group would begin to cover their faces with the hope to hide their identity. Within the building they would begin to tag walls with spray paint "WHERE IS THE MONEY?" and "NEW GENERATION" as their go-to.

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Any government employees they came across would look tired and dishevelled, and would seem to not notice the activists until they were within 5 metres. The government employees would attempt to flee the protestors, but wouldn't resist and would cooperate if forcefully stopped. The activists would learnt that half a dozen senior government officials, including the head of the Finance Department - Jaswat Singh -, is taking refuge in one of the larger offices on the top floor, protected by an equal number of security guards.

The government's security and disaster response would still be largely paralyzed; however, the Indian Armed Forces would still be somewhat intact and operational, especially the units based in and around Delhi. Some units stationed at Hindon AFS, Delhi AFS and Palam AFS would receive word of what was happening in the government's main offices; a single Peugeot P4 would drive from Delhi AFS, 4 or so kilometres to the Cabinet Secretariat's buildings, with two officers inside. Unsure exactly of what was occuring, they would attempt to drive through the crowds of protestors in order to enter the Finance Department's office in the Cabinet Secretariat complex.

Meanwhile, with the desertion of some Delhi Police to the activist's side, other Delhi Police officers would stay clear of the Cabinet Secretariat, with unofficial orders to not intervene or interfere with the ongoing protests. Meanwhile, Delhi's Rapid Action Force battalion, under the Central Reserve Police Force, would be put on alert for a potential riot. With the command structures of the government still frozen, its deployment is unlikely, and many of its members would desert if they were deployed against their fellow Indians in the capital.

Across the rest of the Gandhi Empire, more and more people saw, through social media, what was occuring in the capital, and some felt inclined to protest and show their support across India.

Connor

 

[Connor]

The protestors, still without response from the government or acknowledgement of their activities despite several hours now passing, would begin growing increasingly frustrated. The organisers would largely remain steadfast in their noble quest for change within the government however the younger of the group would begin to ramp up their activities, entering random offices within the complex where they would begin opening filing cabinets and pulling the contents from within - whilst they began by reading through the vast amount of paperwork retained within the building, much of it was boring the the layperson containing information about government services and activities internally which were not particularly relevant to the general public, or at least made little sense when reading it on a random piece of paper with no context. This only fuelled their frustration, leading to paperwork being launches across the rooms, folders flying through the office with paperwork flying from within although it were confetti. It didn't take long for this paperwork to start getting thrown from the balconies into crowds, the persons throwing it not concealing their identifies totally with masks, scales and even the t-shirts as an impromptu attempt. The crowds would roar with cheers and applause as the papers rained down on them. Once empty, these filing cabinets would find themselves being kicked, drawers pulled from their brackets and ultimately thrown across the room, taking chairs and tables with them.

The rooms would slowly get trashed as they emptied what they could from each one and damaging whatever furniture was within them, repeating the same chants as they had from the start. For now, they remained reasonable in what they there out of the balconies; keeping it to paperwork and charts, nothing that could cause any particular injury... but pertaining making one hell of a mess.

The tagging would ramp up fairly significantly with profanity sprayed across whiteboards in meeting rooms and across desktops, almost in a comedic fashion as though it had been put there by whatever meeting had taken place beforehand. Flares would also bo ignited, the bright coloured smoke pouring from windows as it flood through the rooms and into the fresh air outside, on occasion being launched from the building and into the crowds below.

They wanted to be heard - and get heard they will be.

The distinctive Peugeot P4, presumably decorated like many military vehicles, would stand out like a sore thumb and only find itself a target for the increasingly angry crowd. Water bottles, stones and the previously thrown paperwork would be hurled at the vehicle, smashing across the bodywork and the windshield - from within the sounds of various unidentified objects and the occasional splash of water across the windows would undoubtedly be unnerving, even scary, as they proceeded towards the building. The crowd would quickly surrounding the vehicle and begin rocking each side on its suspension, watching the two officers within get thrown from side to side within the vehicle.The sheer number of persons within the crowd would stop this vehicle in its tracks, that of Cours presuming they weren't willing to run down members of the public.

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