– (Prof Prem Singh Chandumajra says CM’s double talk during negotiations had failed the farming community)
– (Also appeals to the centre to allow farmers to proceed peacefully to Delhi)
Chandigarh, February 20, 2024 – The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) today held chief minister Bhagwant Mann responsible for the breakdown of talks between the farmer unions and the centre, stating the chief minister’s double talk during negotiations had failed the farming community and forced them on the path of agitation.
While commenting on this development, senior SAD leader Prof Prem Singh Chandumajra also appealed to the central government not to try to muzzle the peaceful protest of farmers, adding “in a democracy peaceful protest is a fundamental right and farmers should be allowed to peacefully proceed to Delhi”. He also appealed to the centre to consider waiving off farmer loans saying “if lakhs of crores of loans of corporates can be waived, farmers – who contribute to the food security of the nation, should not be discriminated against”.
Prof Chandumajra said chief minister Bhagwant Mann had practiced duplicity during the last one week. “On the one hand he allowed the Haryana Police to fire tear gas shells and rubber pellets on farmers while on the other he misled the centre as to the real demands of the farming community”. He said the chief minister had a lot of explaining to do. “He should tell why he ordered the Patiala deputy commissioner to give in writing demanding closure of internet services in the district. He should also tell why he did not try to protect the interests of the farmers before the central representatives by making the centre aware of the seriousness of the situation”. He said the chief minister’s insistence to play both sides besides bringing in his own agenda had muddled the entire atmosphere and led to the failure of the talks.
The SAD leader also demanded the chief minister explain why no case had been filed against Haryana Police personnel for attacking farmers in Punjab territory. “The chief minister should also tell why no compensation has been paid to those martyred during the ongoing farmer agitation and why barricades put up in Punjab territory had not been removed”.
The SAD leader also demanded that the AAP government bring in legislation to guarantee MSP for all crops which were not covered under the MSP regime in the forthcoming budget session as per the promise made by the chief minister”. He said the chief minister should stand up to his promise as it would go a long way in protecting the interests of farmers besides bringing about an amicable resolution to the present crisis.