Farmers Movement Archive

On Panipat visit, Dushyant Chautala gets a black flag reception

By: Amit KumarKARNAL: Farmers showed black flags to Haryana deputy chief minister Dushyant Chautala during his visit to Panipat, where he had gone to preside over a district public relations and grievances redressal committee meeting at the mini secretariat on Wednesday. Farmers carrying BKU and black flags reached the venue and started raising slogans against the JJP leader and the BJP-JJP government. Heavy police force was deployed outside the mini secretariat to control the protesting farmers, but they stood their ground and burnt an effigy of Dushyant. The deputy CM had cancelled his visit scheduled on March 26. Even though the administration refused to give reasons for cancellation, sources said it was following the intelligence reports that farmers would oppose his visit. While interacting with media personnel, the deputy CM said, “We have taken up 15 registered grievances, seven of which were resolved on the spot.” Regarding the farmer’s protest, he said, “Everyone has the right to protest in a democracy. The government is ready for talks. The protesting farmers should come forward for talks, as it is the only way to resolve the issue.” Claiming that the government’s aim was to make the farming community prosperous, he said all arrangements have been made for procurement of wheat and mustard which started on April 1. He said six crops are being procured at minimum support price in the state and full payment would be made directly into the farmers’ accounts this season. Reply to a question about his uncle and INLD leader Abhay Chautala’s statement that farmers should tie up BJP-JJP leaders if they visit their village, Dushyant said, “ I don’t think he is a serious politician.” Condemning the attack on BJP MLA Arun Narang in Punjab, he said it was a police failure.

The Times of India

2021-04-01

Chandigarh