AMRITSAR SAHIB, Punjab—When the Hindutva leaning elements in India are vilifying the protesting farmers to weaken their agitation, former national vice president of the saffron party and Punjab’s former health minister Laxmi Kanta Chawla today surprisingly condemned branding the farmers “Khalistanis”, besides urging Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to listen to them.
In a video released today, she said, “I would like to thank Home Minister of India Amit Shah for calling the agitating farmers for a talk. I would like to request that the government does not behave stubbornly. It should come to the farmers, listen to them, and meet their demands which are genuine. After all, something is right in demands of the farmers, that has made farmers of Punjab, UP, Haryana, MP and other states to protest against the laws jointly.”
Taking air out of propaganda against protesting farmers, the veteran BJP leader said, “I would like to request those leaders who have branded these farmers or some of them “Khalistanis”. Whoever has said so, he or she should apologize to farmers of Punjab and the country. Remember, the leaders, there must be some amongst these farmers who have defended the nation on the borders. Progeny of many farmers are still fighting against the enemy along the border, as personnel of CRPF, BSF, Police, etc. Sons of farmers are defending the country and the farmers feed all by producing food for others.”
“So, I would like to request Prime Minister Narendra Modi that these are your children. You should call them with love and solve their problems at the earliest possible. The agitation on the road must not be prolonged anymore. And I praise the farmers who kept their agitation peaceful and did not harass any civilian on the way to Delhi. They did not even touch any public property for the last two months. The political leaders should also behave like them,” added Chawla.
As farmers from Punjab, Haryana and some other states have gathered at the entry points of Delhi to protest Modi government over three farm laws despite several hurdles created by BJP government of Haryana in their way, Hindutva forces have become active to dub them “anti-national elements”, “Khalistanis”, “Pakistan-supported” and “separatists” among other terms.
As major participation in “Dilli Chalo” programme planned by the farmers’ organizations of the country is of Punjab’s farmers who are almost Sikhs by faith, the Hindutva elements are leaving no stone unturned to defame the farmers by playing such dirty tricks.
Hailing from Amritsar, Chawla is known for her hardcore Hindu stance and making hateful remarks on the hero of the present Sikh struggle. She usually issues statements dubbing the Sikh fighter as “terrorist”. So, her fresh statement is surprising to all.
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