'Today is Punjab's 26/11': Sukhbir Badal on stopping farmers' Delhi Chalo march

Chandigarh, November 26

Shiromani Akali Dal chief Sukhbir Singh Badal on Thursday slammed the Haryana government for trying to thwart farmers' 'Delhi Chalo' march, terming the attempt as “Punjab's 26/11”.

Bathinda MP and former Union minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal also condemned the Haryana government for preventing farmers' entry to Haryana, saying it is a “murder of democracy.”

“Today is Punjab's 26/11. We are witnessing the end of the right to democratic protest. @Akali_Dal condemns the Haryana govt & Centre for choosing to repress the peaceful farmer movement,” said Badal in a tweet.

Haryana has completely sealed its borders with Punjab to prevent farmers from entering the state for their onward march to Delhi to protest against the Centre's farm laws.

The SAD chief also lashed out at the BJP-led government in Haryana for using water cannons against farmers on the Punjab-Haryana border.

“The battle for the rights of Punjab farmers cannot be throttled by using water cannons against them. Our resolve will only strengthen further,” he said.

The battle for the rights of Punjab farmers cannot be throttled by using water cannons against them. Our resolve will only strengthen further.#FarmersProtest #AntiFarmerActs

— Sukhbir Singh Badal (@officeofssbadal) November 26, 2020

The Central government is treating farmers as “enemy of the State”, SAD leader Harsimrat Kaur Badal alleged on Thursday, condemning the use of force to stop them from marching towards Delhi in protest against the Centre’s farm laws.

Badal had resigned from the Union Cabinet in September in protest against three farm sector Bills, which later got the President’s assent after being passed by Parliament. She was the Union minister for food processing industries.

The Centre should not adopt a policy of confrontation with farmers. It should instead talk with them and resolve their grievances, Badal told PTI.

“Using force against farmers on Constitution Day has turned the day a ‘black day’ for ‘annadattas’ of the country,” the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader said.

“The BJP-led Central government is treating farmers as an enemy of the State. We witnessed the same treatment when Punjabis were stopped from going to Delhi during the Asiad Games. Such repressive tactics can have very dangerous repercussions as we have seen in the past,” Badal said.

The Haryana Police on Thursday used water cannons and tear gas shells to disperse a group of farmers from Punjab who allegedly tried to jump police barricades to enter Haryana as part of their 'Delhi Chalo' march. — PTI

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