Farmers Movement Archive

BKU outfit remains firm on Patiala protest

Dismissing Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh’s appeal not to go ahead with their protest, which could turn into a super-spreader of COVID-19, the Bharatiya Kisan Union (Ekta-Ugrahan), one of the largest farmer’s unions in Punjab, on Monday said it would go ahead with its three-day protest in Patiala. Sukhdev Singh, general secretary of BKU(U), told The Hindu the proposed protest against the ruling Congress government in Punjab for its alleged failure to control and manage the situation arising out of COVID-19 will be held as planned from May 28 with all precautions in place. Mr. Singh said imposing a lockdown was not an appropriate solution for battling COVID-19. “Instead, the government along with all stakeholders should organise a comprehensive information and education campaign surrounding COVID-19. It should also ensure adequate financial support for the livelihood, employment, income and business of the people in case the lockdown is inevitable. The vaccine against the disease should be made available to all people free of cost,” he said. Asking BKU(U) not to hold the protest, the Chief Minister had stated that the event could turn into a super-spreader and had the potential to negate the gains made by his government in tackling COVID-19 in the State. Captain Singh urged the farmers’ group not to act irresponsibly and jeopardise the lives of their own people with such reckless behaviour amid the pandemic, especially when there is a complete ban in the State on all gatherings and any violation of the ban would be highly detrimental to the interests of Punjab and its people. Such a ‘dharna’ would draw people mainly from the villages, which were in any case going through a crisis during the second wave of the pandemic, he said.

The Hindu

2021-05-25

CHANDIGARH