Indian government has been rattled after scorching critical remarks from Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau regarding farmers’ protests.
Indian government has been under spotlight facing severe criticism, backlash over its handling of farmers’ protest in nation’s capital Delhi.
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Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in cabinet meeting commented on the ongoing farmers’ protest in India’s capital Delhi. Addressing his cabinet members from Sikh community, PM Justin Trudeau termed the situation in Delhi as ‘concerning’.
We are all very worried about family and friends. I know that’s the reality for many of you, he said.
Expressing support for farmers who are protesting against agricultural policies of Narendra Modi led BJP government, PM Justin Trudeau highlighted the significance of dialogue urging the Indian government to address the issue peacefully.
We’ve reached out through multiple means to the Indian authorities to highlight our concerns. This is a moment for all of us to pull together, he said.
Furthermore, the Canadian premier reaffirmed and reiterated Canada’s support for the protesting farmers stating that Canada will always be there to defend the rights of peaceful protest.
Harijit Sajjan – Canadian Minister of National Defence who belongs from Sikh community, also expressed concerns regarding peaceful protesters being ‘brutalized’ in India.
“Sikhs across Canada and around the world are thinking and praying for India’s farmers who are peacefully protesting new farming legislation,” said Tim S. Uppal – Member of Parliament for Edmonton Mill Woods, Canada.
Shockingly along the way these peaceful protesters were met with blockades, water canons, batons and tear gas,” he added.
In response, India’s Ministry of External Affairs has termed PM Justin Trudeau’s remarks as ‘unwarranted’ and ‘ill-informed’.
What’s happening in India?
More than 300,000 farmers have marched to Delhi, setting up camps and staging a full-fledge sit in the nation’s capital against government’s agricultural policies and laws.
Farmers are protesting against a set of three laws passed in September this year regarding de-regulation of India’s agricultural sector.
The protesting farmers have been harshly dealt by authorities who have resorted to teargas shelling and intense baton charge wounding atleast hundreds of farmers.
These laws provision farmers to by-pass government-regulated markets (mandis) and sell their produce directly to buyers.
New laws allow traders to stockpile foods – a provision in utter contrast with the anti-hoarding laws around the world. Due to this traders will be able to exploit and benefit from supply/demand variations and resulting inflation.
Agriculture sector in India employs more than 40 per cent of the country’s population and 86 percent of India’s cultivated farmland is owned by low level farmers who own less than five acres of land.
Farmers have cited fears that they don’t possess sufficient power when it comes to bargaining and this ‘de-regulation’ will result in their failure to secure decent prices, rates for their produce.
The government has left us at the mercy of big corporations. It is absurd to believe that farmers who own little land will have any bargaining power over private players, said Rashpinder Singh – a 27 year old farmer from Punjab.
