Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau backed farmers protesting in India against the new central government agricultural laws, calling the situation “worrying”.
Trudeau spoke at an online event to mark the 551st birthday of Guru Nanak on Monday. In his address, he referred to the news about the farmers’ protests that have been unleashed in the country in recent days and said that “Canada will always be there to defend the rights of peaceful protest.” He added that the situation is worrying and that many are worried about their friends and family.
In the video that has been released by the Sikh World Organization, Trudeau said that Canada had reached out to the Indian authorities to express its concerns and that it is time for everyone to “come together.”
This also makes Trudeau the first international political leader to speak out about the agricultural protests.
On Tuesday, farmers entered the sixth day in a row of protests challenging water cannons, tear gas, police barricades, the pandemic and winters. Thousands of people from various states including Punjab, Haryana have camped out on the outskirts of Delhi in the largest farmer protest in years. They demand action against the new farm laws.
However, Trudeau’s statement on the farmers’ protests was not well received by all.
In response to Trudeau’s statement, Shiv Sena MP Priyanka Chaturvedi took to Twitter and said: “Shaken by your concern, but India’s internal problem is not the pasture of another nation’s politics. Please respect the courtesies we always provide to other nations. ” Furthermore, he urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to resolve this impasse before other countries consider it okay to have a say.
Here’s how others reacted:
Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau has tacitly extended his support for the farmers’ protests in Delhi. What do we boycott now? Akshay Kumar?
– Shahbaz Khan (@ shahbazkhan185) December 1, 2020
Our government won’t even respond to Trudeau. He was brutally rejected when he arrived in India. A sub-minister met him at the airport, Prime Minister Modi did not meet for two days after his arrival and he did not go with him to Gujarat, it is a non-existent geopolitical entity.
– Vinayak (@vinayak_jain) December 1, 2020
Dear @JustinTrudeau , moved by his concern, but the internal problem of India is not food for the politics of another nation. Please respect the courtesies we always provide to other nations. @Narendra Modi ji to resolve this impasse before other countries consider that it is okay to comment.
– Priyanka Chaturvedi (@ priyankac19) December 1, 2020
LOL Justin Trudeau is talking about the Indian farmers protest. Shows how many Canadian PRs the MSP has funded.
– Gabbbar (@GabbbarSingh) December 1, 2020
Have @JustinTrudeau Did you “express concern” about the peaceful protests in Hong Kong? Thailand Poland? France? Bangladesh? And the many countries that have seen protests in recent weeks? Or are you interested in defending the rights of only politically relevant groups?
– Palki Sharma (@palkisu) December 1, 2020
There also seemed to be a heightened interest in Justin Trudeau in Google trends after he backed the farmers’ protests.
In response to a media inquiry on comments from Canadian leaders related to farmers in India, Official Spokesperson Shri Anurag Srivastava said: “We have seen some misinformed comments from Canadian leaders related to farmers in India. Such comments are unjustified, especially when they concern the internal affairs of a democratic country. It is also better that diplomatic talks are not misrepresented for political purposes. “
Following the intensification of the protests, on Monday night the Center invited the farmers’ unions on the move to dialogue on December 1, two days before a scheduled meeting. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who accused the opposition of misleading farmers again through disinformation.
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