Farmer leaders: Won’t call off stir despite Covid surge

Tribune News Service

Sonepat, April 15

Farmer leaders today said that the ongoing agitation on the outskirts of Delhi would continue despite a surge in Covid-19 cases in the country. They would also continue to boycott BJP and JJP leaders in the state.

Farmer leader Darshan Pal Singh alleged that the Central Government deliberately introduced the three farm laws during the Covid restrictions so that growers could not raise their voice. “But, it is a fight for the existence of the farmers,” he added.

He said amid the harvesting of the rabi crops, the farmers were protesting at the Delhi border, putting their season’s earning at stake.

He alleged that despite the protesting farmers’ ultimatum, state BJP-JJP leaders continued to hold programmes with the sole purpose of inciting violence and weakening the movement.

CM’s appeal to protesters

It is the constitutional right of every person to protest and we have no problem with those who protest. However, at this time, due to Covid-19, life may be put in danger, so this is not the right time to protest. I appeal to farmers that they should withdraw their movement on humanitarian grounds. If they have to hold or protest for any of their demands, they can do so when the situation improves. — Manohar Lal Khattar, CM