Updated: December 1, 2020 3:30:31 pm
FILE PHOTO: Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau (Reuters)
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Tuesday extended his support to farmers who have been protesting against the three agricultural laws, pointing out that the situation is “worrying”.
Speaking on the occasion of Gurupurab to his Canadian-Punjabi constituents, Trudeau said: “I would be remiss if I did not start by acknowledging the news from India about the farmers’ protest. The situation is worrying. We are all very concerned about family and friends. We know it is a reality for many of you. Let me remind you that Canada will always be there to defend the rights of peaceful protesters. We believe in the dialogue process. We have communicated with the Indian authorities through multiple means to highlight our concerns. This is a time for all of us to come together. “
This is the first time that a foreign leader has expressed his opinion on the farmers’ protests in India.
However, the Indian government reacted harshly, calling the statements by Canadian leaders “misinformed” and “unjustified”. The official spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs 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. “
For the past five days, thousands of farmers from Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh have been marching towards the national capital and are closing in on the borders. Peaceful sit-ins by farmers, mostly from Punjab and Haryana, continued today for the sixth day in a row at the Singhu and Tikri borders, while the number of protesters increased on the Ghazipur border.
We welcome the support of @JustinTrudeau Pm Canada for the farmers’ turmoil and urging the Bjp government to accept the legitimate demands of the farmers who have contributed to the inclusive development of India and are themselves under colossal debt leading to widespread suicides-khaira pic.twitter.com/T7WqMvWx51
– Sukhpal Singh Khaira (@SukhpalKhaira) December 1, 2020
Canadian Defense Minister Harjit Singh Sajjan also tweeted about the protests. “Reports that peaceful protesters are brutalized in India are very disturbing. Many of my constituents have relatives there and are concerned for the safety of their loved ones. Healthy democracies allow peaceful protest. I urge those involved to defend this fundamental right, ”he wrote on Twitter.
Farmers on the Singhu Border
Shiv Sena MP Priyanka Chaturvedi also objected to Trudeau’s comment, telling him not to play politics using “India’s internal problem as fodder.” “Dear @JustinTrudeau, touched by your concern, but the internal issue of India is not grass of the politics of other nations. Please respect the courtesies we always provide to other nations. Ask Prime Minister @narendramodi ji to resolve this impasse before other countries deem it okay to have a say, ”Rajya Sabha member Chaturvedi tweeted.
Canada has a large Canadian-Punjabi immigrant community, who is courted by Canadian politicians all the time.
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