New Delhi (NVI): India today rejected certain remarks by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and some other Canadian leaders on farmers’ protests in border areas of Delhi, saying that the comments are “ill-informed” and “unwarranted” while suggesting that “diplomatic conversations should not be misrepresented for political purposes”.
While responding to a media query on comments by Canadian leaders relating to farmers in India, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said: “We have seen some ill-informed comments by Canadian leaders relating to farmers in India. Such comments are unwarranted, especially when pertaining to the internal affairs of a democratic country. It is also best that diplomatic conversations are not misrepresented for political purposes.”
Trudeau, in online interaction with Canadians from the Sikh community, raised the issue of farmers’ protest while saying that the situation in “concerning”.
“I would be remiss if I didn’t start by recognising the news coming from India about the protest by farmers. The situation is concerning. We are all very worried about family and friends,” he said.
Tonight at an online event commemorating Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s Gurpurab, @JustinTrudeau expressed concerns about the right to peaceful protest and the #ChaloDelhi campaign in India. He confirmed that Canada has raised the issue with Indian authorities. pic.twitter.com/hf038m14Te
— WSO (@WorldSikhOrg) December 1, 2020
Speaking on the occasion of Guru Nanak’s birth anniversary yesterday, Trudeau said: “We know that’s a reality for many of you. Let me remind you, Canada will always be there to defend the rights of peaceful protesters. We believe in the process of dialogue. 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.”
With this, Trudeau has become the first international political leader to speak on farm protests in India that erupted last week.
Canada has a huge population from the Sikh community and has some top Sikh leaders in its cabinet. Before Trudeau, Canadian Defence Minister Harjit Singh Sajjan had tweeted that the reports of farmers protests coming in from India are troubling.
“The reports of peaceful protesters being brutalized in India are very troubling. Many of my constituents have family there and are worried about the safety of their loved ones. Healthy democracies allow peaceful protest. I urge those involved to uphold this fundamental right,” he wrote on Twitter.
Pertinent to mention here, that thousands of farmers from Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh have been protesting at Singhu and Tikri borders since November 26. They are demanding the rollback of recently passed farm bills by the Centre. They fear the new laws will affect the Minimum Support Price (MSP) and corporatise farming.
Meanwhile, Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar and Railways Minister Piyush Goyal are holding talks with leaders of farmer unions today who have been protesting for the last six consecutive days.
-ARK
