Farmers Movement Archive

Wrestler-turned-BJP leader Babita Phogat faces protest at Yoga Day event in Haryana

Wrestler-turned-BJP leader Babita Phogat on Monday faced protests by farmers along with some Congress supporters as she arrived to take part in the Yoga Day event at Charkhi Dadri on Monday. Prominent politicians remained away from taking part in the Yoga Day event.The protesters showed black flags and raised slogans against Phogat, who had unsuccessfully contested the 2019 assembly elections on the BJP ticket from Charkhi Dadri.She had lost to BJP rebel-turned-Independent Sombir Sangwan and was later appointed chairperson of the Haryana Women Development Corporation.The protesters managed to reach the Yoga Day venue despite police putting up barricades. The protesters said they will continue opposing the visit of BJP and JJP leaders until the farm laws are repealed.Phogat Khap president Balwant Nambardar said they had protested against Babita earlier also when she tried to enter the district.“To divide people and their brotherhood, Babita and BJP leaders are trying to enter the district periphery even though Khaps and farm unions have announced their boycott. If these leaders will not stop from coming to the district, we will be forced to take strict decisions,” he added.Babita Phogat could not be reached for a comment.Bhiwani-Mahendragarh member of Parliament Dharambir Singh chose to celebrate Yoga Day with his family at his residence in Bhiwani, while state agriculture minister JP Dalal took part in the Yoga Day event along with officials in Bhiwani.FARMERS SHOW BLACK FLAGS TO DUSHYANTScores of farmers waived black flags to protest the visit of Haryana deputy chief minister Dushyant Chautala in Sirsa.He inaugurated the statue of former deputy prime minister Devi Lal in Chaudhary Devi Lal University (CDLU), Sirsa. He also laid the foundation stone of development projects worth ₹48.67 crore in Sirsa.The protesting farmers said they wanted to unveil the statue of Devi Lal but police did not allow them to enter the university.Carrying black flags, a group of farmers stood outside the university and waived black flags when the deputy CM visited the university.In Hisar, deputy speaker Ranbir Gangwa inaugurated the newly-constructed power sub-station of the Dakshin Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam. Later, a group of farmers went to the sub-station and sprinkled ‘Ganga jal’ on it to “purify the building”.

Hindustan Times

22-06-2021

Chandigarh