We stand with farmers, Greta: Young protesters

Amarjot Kaur
Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, February 5

Young guns of ‘generation Z’ today gathered at Matka Chowk here to support farmers and Greta Thunberg, a Swedish environmental activist known for challenging world leaders to take immediate action against climate change. Moved by her tweets and the plight of farmers protesting against the new agricultural laws, the children expressed concern over food security and the future of India.

Udaybir Singh (12) said: “I support Greta for standing up for the farmers. I read her tweet and was deeply moved by her concern for the country.”

Nine-year-old Harveer Pratap Singh stood at the chowk, shouting slogans of ‘Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan’. He said: “I am here to support the farmers who are rightfully asking for the black laws to be repealed. The government is calling us terrorists, but we are farmers. Farmers are not terrorists.”

Jiya, a 15-year-old city student, backed Greta’s tweet ‘I still stand with farmers’, and said: “I like that Greta’s speaking about the farmers plight and she’s right in supporting the farmers. The government should at least address the issue.”

Zorawar Singh (12) shared: “My father’s in the Army and my family has been farming for generations. The farmers are not anti-nationals. They are fighting for their rights. I am here to support them, just like Greta did.”

Anvi Gupta (12) said: “I saw the news yesterday about Greta and I don’t like what the government is doing. They are hurting farmers for no apparent reason and are supporting private companies. I don’t think the future of this country is secure.”

Protests at Sector 20, Marriot Chowk

People protested at the Sector 20 roundabout and the Marriot Chowk. Parneet Kaur, a teacher, said: “I’m here because these farm laws are not just anti-farmer, but anti-consumer too.” At the Sector 35 roundabout, the protesters from Dhanas distributed badges and flags of the Bhartiya Kisan Union to supporters.