“I am encouraged by the ongoing dialogue,” Ro Khanna.
Washington:
Indian-American Congressman Ro Khanna has hoped for a peaceful and just solution to the problems of farmers in India, saying he is encouraged by the ongoing dialogue between protesting farmers and the government.
Khanna, 44, was recently elected to a third consecutive term from the Congressional district representing Silicon Valley.
“India and the United States share a rich tradition of democracy and peaceful protest. Farmworkers are the backbone of our two nations and they must make their voices heard. I hope there is a peaceful and just solution so that they can provide for their families. “Khanna said. in a tweet on Saturday.
“I am encouraged by the ongoing dialogue,” he said, joining other US lawmakers who have voiced their views on the ongoing farmers’ protest in India, several of whom have raised concerns.
India and the United States share a rich tradition of democracy and peaceful protest. Agricultural workers are the backbone of our two nations and must make their voices heard. I hope there is a peaceful and just solution so that they can support their families. I am encouraged by the ongoing dialogue.
– Representative Ro Khanna (@RepRoKhanna) December 13, 2020
“As Co-Chair of the American Sikh Caucus in Congress, my office has received first-hand accounts of the horrific crackdowns on protesters who are trying to peacefully express their disapproval of India’s recent farm reform legislation,” said Congressman John Garamendi , who along with two other lawmakers wrote a letter to India’s ambassador to the United States, Taranjit Singh Sandhu, earlier this week.
According to the letter, “Hundreds of thousands of farmers from Punjab and Haryana states who headed to New Delhi to peacefully protest against these new agricultural laws, and the Indian government has engaged these peaceful protesters with tear gas, water cannons , barricades, baton attacks and more.
“Many of these farmers have children, relatives and friends who are US citizens, many of whom have reached out to us to share their concerns about these events. We urge the Indian government to show its respect for these crucial democratic freedoms by being a model of democratic values in the vital Indo-Pacific region “.
The letter, dated December 4, was published this week. The other two lawmakers who have raised concerns about the protest were Congresswoman Jim Costa and Congresswoman Shelia Jackson Lee, members of the American Sikh Caucus.
Thousands of farmers are currently on Delhi’s borders with Haryana and Uttar Pradesh in protest against the Agricultural Products Trade and Trade (Promotion and Facilitation) Act 2020, the Farmers’ Agreement (Empowerment and Protection) on Price Guarantee and Agricultural Services, 2020 and the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act 2020.
They have expressed their fear that these laws will pave the way for the dismantling of the minimum support price system, leaving them at the “mercy” of large corporations.
However, the government has argued that the new laws will provide better opportunities for farmers and usher in new technologies in agriculture.
There have been multiple rounds of talks between representatives of the protesters and the government, but the jam continues.
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