Justin Trudeau spoke at an event to mark the anniversary of Guru Nanak’s birth.
Highlight
- Justin Trudeau is the first world leader to comment on the farmers’ protest
- Canada will always be there to defend peaceful protest rights, he said.
- Farmers, protesting the agricultural laws, camped outside of Delhi.
New Delhi:
“Canada will always be there to uphold the rights of peaceful protest,” said Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, backing Indian farmers who have intensified their agitation against the new farm laws, noting that the situation is “worrying.”
“The news coming out of India about the farmers’ protest. The situation is worrying and we are all very concerned for family and friends. I 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 protest, “Trudeau said at an online event to mark the 551st birthday of Guru Nanak.
Trudeau, 48, is the first world leader to comment on the farmers’ protests.
Thousands of people from various states, including Punjab, are camped out on the outskirts of Delhi for the sixth day in a row, in the largest farmers’ protest in years, demanding that they be allowed to hold protests in the city center against new laws that open the Indian farm produce market. Peasants braved water cannons, tear gas, and police barricades in the intense cold as they tried to reach the national capital.
“We believe in the importance of dialogue and that is why we have reached out to multiple media, directly to the Indian authorities to highlight our concerns. This is a time for all of us to come together,” said the Canadian leader in a video. published by the Sikh World Organization.
In a separate statement on Guru Nanak Jayanti, Mr. Trudeau said that Guru Nanak’s birth anniversary was an important day for Sikh Canadians.
The center will hold talks with farmers today in an attempt to find a solution to the mass protests. Sources say that in talks with farmers, the government is likely to reaffirm that the three laws at the center of the protests will not be withdrawn. However, the government will reassure farmers about the Minimum Livelihood Price (MSP) and government markets or mandis.
Farmers fear that laws enacted in September, aimed at bringing reforms to the agriculture sector by allowing farmers to sell anywhere in the country, will deprive them of guaranteed minimum prices. They are also concerned that government or mandi markets will be wiped out, taking away their assured profits.
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