Vidushi Nautiyal and Pooja Mahabadi, Pune
Originally bearing the title of “124A”, Too Much Democracy is a documentary by writer-director Varrun Sukhraj, on the farmers’ protests that took place during the pandemic.
After failing to get the backing of their respective state governments, in November 2020, Indian farmers made the decision to march to the capital in an effort to exert pressure on the central government to oppose the ‘unconstitutional’ farm laws. They made the decision to remain on the capital’s roadways for as long as possible after being prevented from entering the city by the police, which led to the largest and longest protest anywhere in the world.
The documentary starts and ends with an act of violence, and in between is a beautiful dream of never-ending democracy. It sheds light on the communal aspect of the protests, simultaneously encapsulating the conspiracy theories that arose, as well as the ‘Us vs Them’ narrative that polarized the public.
It focuses on the unabashed, un-garnered labeling of the farmers by broadcast and social media- Khalistanis, terrorists, anti-nationals, rebels, and anarchists; while the farmers believed the protests to be an ideological revolution, founded on the idea that one cannot infringe on another’s right to say no.
The arresting visuals were accompanied by the soulful narration of the writer-director and the persuasive chants of the Punjabi Protest songs. There were quotes and insights from senior journalists, political leaders, protestors on site, professors, sociologists, and affected working civilians.
The audience was constantly informed that the protestors were educated individuals who had set out to make other farmers aware of the on-goings and were stripped of their basic necessities, slandered by their fellow countrymen, and questioned on their identity, their motives, as well as their involvement in the protest.
Too Much Democracy is a subjective documentary made with love and compassion in mind for fellow countrymen, but it is tough to say if it will stand the test of time. In order to make the documentary interesting, it fails to deliver a complete understanding of the complex subject at hand as well as a nuanced perspective of the events that took place. Much like an overextended Instagram reel, it draws the audience in with controversial, passionate visuals and gripping music without providing the necessary facts.
It shows you one point of view very effectively without delving deeply into the varying facets like Khalistani involvement, the Red Fort incident, and violence on the part of the protestors. It also forgets to include the perspectives of junior officers on the scene as well as the lawmakers who created the policy.
The documentary seemed to constantly bombard the audience with an array of scenes, edited with quick cuts and fast-paced music, with little room for thought or breathing space.
Since it offers a rather specific view of the situation, it should not be recommended as the first piece of knowledge for people trying to understand the farmers’ protests. People with no context for the farm laws and subsequent protests will easily follow the line of passion spoon-fed by the creator without looking for further perspectives.
It meticulously captures the failure of the government to recognize the agitation of the people, acknowledge their reaction, and accept their right to challenge policies that dictate their livelihood.
The documentary wasn’t against the government or the policies they tried to enforce but rather against the masses, who were quick to judge the farmers. It beckons to answer the question – as a nation built by freedom fighters, when did protestors become anti-nationalists?