Punjabi MPs in Canada, UK condemn use of force on farmers

Sukhmeet Bhasin
Tribune News Service
Bathinda, November 28

Non-Indian Residents (NRIs) and foreign politicians have come out in support of Punjab farmers heading towards Delhi. Along with this, they have also condemned the use of force, teargas, water cannons, and restrictions, imposed by the Haryana and Delhi police.

NDP MLA and parliament secretary of British Columbia, Canada, Rachna Singh shared a clip with The Tribune on the microblogging website.

“I am really saddened by the way #Punjab Farmers are being treated. This is unaccepted,” she wrote along with the video.

Randeep Singh Sarai, MP in Canada, wrote: “The Treatment of Punjab farmers is deplorable. Farmers are the strength and backbone of the Punjab, and they des to be treated with respect. I stand in solidarity with the Punjab farmers”.

Another Punjabi Canadian MP, Sukh Dhaliwal, said: “The right to peaceful protest is fundamental in any democracy, especially in the world’s largest. I am very disturbed by the treatment of Punjabi farmers in India- this blatant abuse by Indian authorities is unacceptable. I stand with the Punjab farmers”.

Preet Kaur Gill, MP from UK, also shared a clip along with a post stating, “This is no way to treat citizens who are peacefully protesting over the controversial farmers’ bill in India”.

Canadian MP Maninder Sidhu wrote: “Many of my constituents and I are deeply concerned about the safety of our family and friends in India. The right to peaceful protest is a constitutional right. Farmers in India should be able to voice their opinions and protest peacefully without fear for their safety”.

Another Canadian MP Tim Uppal took to Twitter, said: “India’s farmers deserve to be heard and respected. This is horrific”.

MP from Brampton, Ruby Sahota, said: “The determination and resilience of the farmers is admirable. In a free and just society one should be able to advocate for their cause without the threat of force being used against them. The brutality being faced by Indian farmers in these images is deplorable”.

Jack Harris, Canadian MP, wrote: “We are shocked to see the Indian government’s suppression of farmers protesting new laws which will endanger their livelihood. Instead of using water cannons and tear gas, the Indian government needs to engage in open dialogue with farmers”.

Gurratan Singh, an anti-racial activist in Canada, has said: “The Indian govt’s use of water cannons and tear gas on farmers protesting mass privatization of the agricultural sector and unjust reform of farming laws is appalling. They deserve respect for feeding the nation instead of being subjected to state brutality”