'Ill-Informed' & 'Unwarranted': India Strongly Responds To Canadian PM Trudeau's Remarks On Farmers' Protest

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau becomes the first world leader to share views on the farmers' protests by defending the rights of peaceful protest

Getty Images

Farmers' Protest: As the farmers protest in India enters sixth day on Tuesday, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau became the first international head to raise concerns over the protest by farmers in India against the ruling government's newly enacted agricultural laws. The PM supported Indian farmers in his statement adding that the situation in the country is ‘concerning’.  The 48-year old leader made this statement while addressing an online event to mark the 551st birth anniversary of Guru Nanak. Trudeau said, “The news coming out of India about the protest by farmers. The situation is concerning and we are all very worried about family and friends. I know that's a reality for many of you. Let me remind you, Canada will always be there to defend the rights of peaceful protest.” However, strongly reacting to Canadian PM's statement, India termed the remarks as "ill-informed" and "unwarranted" and made it clear that the matter pertained to the internal affairs of a democratic country. "We have seen some ill-informed comments by Canadian leaders relating to farmers in India. Such comments are unwarranted, especially when pertaining to the internal affairs of a democratic country," Indian External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said.

We've seen some ill-informed comments by Canadian leaders relating to farmers in India. These are unwarranted especially when pertaining to internal affairs of a democratic country. It's also best that diplomatic conversations aren't misrepresented for political purposes:MEA Spox pic.twitter.com/HXtFTrsxCX

— ANI (@ANI) December 1, 2020

In a terse message, the ministry further added that "it is also best that diplomatic conversations are not misrepresented for political purposes." In a video posted on his Twitter account, Trudeau said,"the situation is concerning and we are all very worried about family and friends and I know that is a reality for many of you. As per the latest update, agitating farmers on the Delhi-Uttar Pradesh border near Ghazipur on Tuesday tried to enter the national capital by breaking the barricades. However, they were soon pacified by their own leaders.  On the other hand, agriculture minister Narendra Tomar has insisted that the government is always ready for talks. Farmer leaders have been invited for talks on Tuesday at 3 pm. Shiv Sena MP Priyanka Chaturvedi took to microblogging site Twitter and reacted saying, "Touched by your concern but India’s internal issue is not fodder for another nation’s politics. Pls respect the courtesies that we always extend to other nations." She further urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to resolve this impasse before other countries find it okay to opine.

On the other hand Canadian Defence Minister Harjit Singh Sajjan had earlier expressed his views on the issue saying, "The reports of peaceful protesters being brutalized in India are very troubling. Many of my constituents have family there and are worried about the safety of their loved ones. Healthy democracies allow peaceful protest. I urge those involved to uphold this fundamental right." Canada politicians have come out openly in support of the protesting farmers while raising concerns over the government's handling of the crises. However, so far no reaction has come from the India's Ministry of External Affairs on the statements made by PM Trudeau and Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan. In fact,  politicians in the United Kingdom including Labour Party leaders Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi, Preet Kaur Gill and John McDonnell have also expressed their concerns over the issue.