Farmers Movement Archive

Conspiracy to destroy farmers: Amarinder

Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Friday said farm legislations are being forced upon the nation as part of the ‘Destroy Farmers, Destroy Punjab’ conspiracy of the BJP-led NDA, of which the Akalis continue to be a part. “I don’t know what enmity the BJP and the Akalis have with Punjab and why they are out to destroy us,” said the Chief Minister, launching the Virual Kisan Mela of the Punjab Agriculture University, Ludhiana. ‘May lead to unrest’ Cautioning again that the legislations would lead to growing angst among the people in the border State, thus giving Pakistan the opportunity to stoke the fire, Captain Amarinder said the laws would undo the sacrifices made by Punjab and its farmers over 65 years to make India self-sufficient in food. Accusing the Akalis of playing their own political games in this entire affair, Capt. Amarinder said the “Badals” had failed to stand with the Punjab government on these Bills and even on the critical water issue. Taking a dig at Harsimrat Badal’s remarks of standing with her farmer brethren by resigning from the Union Cabinet, he asked why she forgot that the farmers were her brothers when the Centre brought in the ordinances. Claims rejected Rejecting the BJP and the SAD claims that Punjab was in the loop on the farm ordinances, the Chief Minister made it clear that the issue of any such ordinances or new laws on agriculture was never discussed at any of the meetings in which his government was represented at the high-power committee set up by the Centre on agricultural reforms. (with PTI inputs)

The Hindu

2020-09-19

Chandigarh