Farmers have been protesting since the end of November to repeal the agricultural laws of the center.
New Delhi:
Farmers protesting the farm laws lashed out at the center on Sunday for its “oppressive attitude” after the NIA summoned 40 members and supporters of the protest, including Punjabi actor Deep Sidhu, as “witnesses” in one case. against Sikhs for Justice, a banned separatist group.
Addressing Singhu reporters on the Delhi-Haryana border, where thousands have gathered since late November to demand the repeal of the controversial laws, peasant leader Shivkumar Kakka accused the center of “torturing” those who supported the movement.
“The NIA has started to register cases against those who are part of the farmers movement or against those who have supported it. All farmers unions condemn this. We will fight this in every way possible,” Darshan Pal, another leading farmer, said.
Earlier today, peasant leaders Baldev Singh Sirsa and Manjeet Singh Rai said the call was a sign of the center’s weakening after a weeks-long clash that has seen several violent clashes with police, the death of dozens of farmers and an intervention by the Supreme. Cut.
“The NIA is not doing this … this is the work of a government that boasts of a 56-inch chest (a reference to Prime Minister Narendra Modi). Today that chest has shrunk … that government is weakened by our fight. The government is trying to divide us, but they have failed, “Manjeet Singh Rai told NDTV.
Sirsa, who is one of those who received the summons, stated that it was a tactic by the center to derail the peasant movement, adding that he had not even been formally informed about the call.
The government is weakened by our struggle, said peasant leader Manjeet Singh Rai.
“I found out about my subpoena through a journalist. Then I received it on my WhatsApp … They asked me to join the investigation today but I didn’t go. The government is trying to weaken us,” he said.
Punjabi actor Deep Sidhu, who has become a fierce and vocal supporter of farmers and their struggle, was asked to appear at the NIA headquarters in Delhi. He didn’t show up either.
Akali Dal chief Sukhbir Singh Badal also accused the center of attempting to intimidate peasant leaders and those who support them through central agencies. “… They are not anti-national … absolutely clear that the government is only trying to tire the farmers,” he tweeted.
Strongly condemn the Center’s attempts to intimidate farmer leaders and supporters of #KisanAndolan calling them for questioning about #NIA & ED. They are not anti-national. And after the failure of the talks for the ninth time, it is absolutely clear that the Government of India is only trying to tire the farmers. pic.twitter.com/3x5T8VNdph
– Sukhbir Singh Badal (@officeofssbadal) January 16, 2021
On Tuesday, the Supreme Court suspended implementation of the laws and criticized the center for its apparent inability to resolve an upheaval that has dragged on for several weeks.
The court also ordered the creation of a committee to resolve the dispute, but it was quickly pointed out that the members (all appointed by the court) were advocates of the laws. The farmers welcomed the stay, but refused to negotiate with the committee.
So far nine rounds of talks have been held without any progress. On Tuesday, before one-tenth, Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar said that most farmers were in favor of the laws.
Farmers fear that laws will allow large corporate companies to force them to sell at lower prices; they want the laws and a legal guarantee for the MSP removed. The center, which has emphasized that the laws will benefit farmers and will not be repealed, has offered a written guarantee to MSP.
On Sunday evening, the farmers also announced that they would hold a planned tractor rally and march to Delhi on January 26 (Republic Day).
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