CHANDIGARH: In the wake of the sad demise of a young farmer on the 21st of February at the hands of the Haryana Police while he was peacefully protesting at the borders of Haryana, Amarinder Singh Raja Warring, the President of the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee released a statement demanding action from Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann as well as the chief of BJP Punjab, Sunil Jakhar.
In his statement, the PPCC Chief said – “These are sad days for Punjab. Our young brother and Punjab’s child, Shubhkaran Singh died at the hands Narendra Modi and the Haryana Police. The Haryana Police continues to act on the commands of Narendra Modi. While every other politician is scared about mentioning the PM as the main responsible for these atrocities against our farmers, I will continue to raise my voice against misuse of power.”
Adding on to the same, Raja Warring said – “As much as BJP is to blame, the Punjab Government is equally responsible as well. When tear gas shells had been used initially, we had demanded action right then from the Punjab CM. We had figured that rubber bullets were also being used when I went to talk to our farmer brothers at the hospital. A letter was sent the very next day for an FIR against Haryana Home Minister Anil Vij and SP Ambala but no action has yet been taken.”
Addressing the actions taken by the AAP, he added – “The Aam Aadmi Party government should understand that statements don’t mean anything. Support to the family is essential, but will that provide justice to Shubhkaran? Will this help avoid further farmers deaths? Why cannot we deploy our police in favour of our farmers? We have already faced 700+ deaths, we do not want more. AAP Punjab has clearly bowed down in front of the PM which is why your DGP has issued a statement to stop JCBs, and other machines which will break open the barricade.”
Demanding support from the Punjab Police and action against those responsible for atrocities on our farmers, Raja Warring said – “Why cannot we respond with tear gas shells ourselves? It is essential that FIRs are registered against those responsible. The centre is waiting for elections Code of Conduct to be put into practice so that the police can then kill 100s of our farmers. So why not take action right now when the government can?”
Questioning the actual intentions of Punjab political leaders, he added – “All these leaders pose as being one with Punjab, but then go ahead to meet Narendra Modi, the main responsible for the black farm laws. The Punjab CM is not taking action and will not speak against the centre, therefore, Punjab needs to come together to fight for justice. Where is Captain Amarinder Singh now? Where is Sunil Jakhar, who claims to be the son of a farmer himself? When Congress was in power, we helped the farmers and gave them safe passage till the borders of Delhi.”
Highlighting the importance of agriculture and the right to protest, Raja Warring said – “Every industry within Punjab has to credit agriculture as their backbone and foundation. Without agriculture, Punjab will be destroyed. Delhi is for the entire nation, the most Punjabi’s were martyred for our nation, but now we are not allowed within our own capital? We have always wanted a peaceful protest. Punjab never started this fight, the Haryana police did, but still, our farmers have remained silent.
Concluding his statement, the PCC Chief said – “Even though Narendra Modi and the BJP continue to label Punjab as a land of Khalistanis and terrorists, we will not stop till we get our rights. Punjab Congress will fight till the end and provide farmers with everything they need throughout this struggle. We are not politicizing the issue, rather, we are fighting as Punjabis for our rights.”