Politics Over Farmers' Protest Picks Up As BJP Alleges Khalistani Links, Rahul Gandhi Calls PM Arrogant

While several BJP-ruled states are condemning the protests over the farm bills, Opposition is supporting the agitation claiming saffron party is neglecting the farmers.

(Image: PTI)

New Delhi: Amid the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic, thousands of farmers from Punjab, Rajasthan, and other states have gathered at the border of the national capital of Delhi to protest against the new farm bills that were turned into laws by the central government, in September earlier this year. While the Delhi Police on Saturday morning said that the protesters can move to the Burari grounds, on the out skirts of the Delhi, the protesters refused to ask for a better venue. On Thursday, November 26, thousands of farmers crossed from Punjab to Haryana. At the border, the Haryana Police tried to stop the protesters, using water cannons and teargas. But later they were allowed to pass through. A large group of protesters camped for the night near Panipat. Meanwhile, on Friday, the protesters assembled at Delhi’s border at Tigri and Singhu. Police used teargas and water cannons to stop them from breaking through barricades. In the evening, they offered to let them into the city and continue their protest at Burari ground. While the standoff continued on Saturday morning at Delhi’s border. More farmers were making their way from Punjab and Haryana. Several BJP-ruled states are condemning the protests over the farm bills. Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar alleged that the protests have Khalistani links and Punjab’s government is backing the protests. Khattar also claimed that he has been trying to contact Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh since the protest began but he received no response. Supporting the agitation, former CM of Uttar Pradesh Akhilesh Yadav said that the BJP is the only party that is neglecting the farmers. "Treating farmers with such dereliction has never been done by any party except BJP. These are the same people who had told farmers that they'd not only waive loans but would bring in policies which would double farmers' income," Yadav said. Arvind Kejriwal, CM of Delhi in support of the farmers said that it is absolutely wrong that farmers are being prevented from holding peaceful demonstrations against the Centre's new farm laws and water cannons are being used on them. “All the three farming bills of the central government are anti-farmer. Instead of withdrawing them, farmers are being prevented from holding peaceful demonstrations, water cannons are being used on them. This is absolutely wrong. Peaceful demonstrations are their constitutional right," his tweet quoted. Meanwhile, Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi targeting PM Modi said that PM Modi's "arrogance" has made the jawans stand against the kisans. "Our slogan was Jai Jawan Jai Kisan, but today PM Narendra Modi's arrogance made the jawan stand against the farmer. This is very dangerous," Gandhi said in his tweet. Talking about the states, Punjab in October, became the first state to formally reject the new farm laws, as the state assembly unanimously passed the legislation. On the other hand, Ashok Gehlot-led Congress government in Rajasthan, also passed a three-bill resolution to negate the impact of farm bills introduced by the center. It is also worth mentioning, that Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) left the National Democratic Alliance in the center, and the party’s leader Harsimart Kaur Badal, resigned from her ministry to protest against the bill.