Farmers Movement Archive

Group says don’t incite youth

Chandigarh: The Kendri Sri Guru Singh Sabha of Chandigarh has written an open letter to the Sikhs across the globe, urging them to avoid creating unnecessary problems for the farmers’ leaders carrying forward the movement against the contentious central farm laws. The letter said the need of the hour is to think out of the box as the farmers’ fight stands to throw the prevailing politics to a different plane. “Therefore, it would be a great support if the people from abroad help in running the langar and supply essentials for enduring wintery chills,” it added. The joint statement issued by the sabha members – Professor Manjit Singh, author Ajaypal Singh, journalists Jaspal Singh Sidhu and Gurbachan Singh, and Sabha general secretary Khushhal Singh – mentioned that unfortunately, some NRIs are inciting the youth to undertake some extremist measures like unfurling the Kesri flag at Red Fort and doing away with “sluggish protests.” The statement further said some NRIs are under the belief that since the mainstream political parties have become discredited, farmers’ leaders should participate in electoral politics, to fill the political vacuum in Punjab. “And they surmise that today is the favourable time for floating a party to capture power. Such infantile understanding already drove the Sikhs into a blind alley, giving opportunity to power-seeker politicians to rule Punjab on New Delhi’s agenda for three decades,” read the statement. The Sabha members further warned that such suggestions are unethical and can be described as ‘fishing in the troubled water.’

The Times of India

2021-01-19

Chandigarh