Farmers’ agitation a historic movement to safeguard democracy: Channi

Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi on Monday said that farmers’ agitation against three farm laws would be ever remembered as a watershed movement to protect the democratic and human rights in the country.

The Chief Minister, who along with President of Punjab Congress Navjot Singh Sidhu handed over letters of appointment to five Next of kin(NOK) of farmers who died during the agitation, said that this movement has upheld the ethos of democratic values and human rights in the country. He said that this agitation would ever inspire the countrymen to fight for their democratic and human rights while relentless waging a peaceful battle. CM Channi said that the Punjab government was always with the food growers of the country.

The Chief Minister reiterated that instead of sitting idle all the Punjabis and especially the farmers have to remain vigilant until the farm laws are not repealed. He said that fresh conspiracies were being hatched to harm the interests of the farmers besides derailing the progress and prosperity of Punjab. Making a scathing attack on those leaders who are welcoming the announcement of the Prime Minister to repeal the laws, CM Channi said that these pseudo nationalist leaders are part and parcel of these anti-Punjab conspiracies.

The Chief Minister questioned these leaders to explain the rationale behind merrymaking as there is hardly any reason to rejoice since Punjab had lost more than 700 sons and daughters during the struggle. CM Channi said that those hailing the decision are supporting the atrocities meted out by the Union government to the agitating farmers, which is undesirable and unwarranted.

CM Channi said it is shameful that for the sake of their vested political interests some political leaders are hell-bent upon sacrificing the interests of the state especially the farmers.

The Chief Minister said that announcement regarding repealing of farm laws was baseless until and unless a guarantee of MSP for crops was not made. He said that the Union government must ensure that every grain of the farmers was lifted on MSP so that the exploitation of farmers in hands of private players is avoided. CM Channi said that these few days were crucial for Punjab and farmers adding that all of us have to be extra cautious.

The Chief Minister reiterated that the state government would construct a memorial in name of these martyrs to perpetuate their glorious struggle for our younger generations. He said that hardships suffered by the farmers during the struggle would ever inspire all of us to rise in unison against tyranny, oppression, and injustice of any sort. CM Channi said that the memorial would be a humble tribute to the food growers of the country by the state government.