Farmers go shirtless in protest against Yoga Day

Say instead of celebrating day, govt should look into their problems

Our Correspondent

Khanna, June 21

A large number of farmers belonging to the Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU), Lakhowal, today blocked traffic on the Ludhiana-Ambala Road, near Manji Saheb Kottan, in protest against International Day of Yoga. They mocked Yoga Day by removing their shirts. The protesters alleged that instead of celebrating yoga day, the Modi-led government should have thought of solving the problems of farmers of the state and the country.

The protest was led by BKU General Secretary Harinder Singh Lakhowal and Vice-President Shamsher Singh Gharuan. The farmers also demanded a CBI probe into the killing of six farmers of Madhya Pradesh in firing and asked the Modi government why they were trying to silence the voice of farmers with guns.

The protesters alleged that farmers were dying but the PM was busy promoting yoga. They stated that about three lakh farmers of the country had committed suicide but the government failed to take any measures to resolve their issues. The protesters demanded immediate implementation of Swaminathan report to save the farmers of the country.

They also demanded that the government should take steps to protect the crops of farmers from stray and wild animals and release the pending Rs 122 crore dues of farmers towards Sugar Mills without any delay. They also flayed meager increase in the purchase of paddy and also demanded that the government should pay for the insurance of crops of the farmers.

The dharna continued for about one hour. In view of traffic blockade, the police had to made alternative arrangements and traffic was diverted through alternative routes.