Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Mar 20: The Punjab Police’s forceful removal of protesting farmers from their camps near the Shambhu Border with Haryana and the detention of key leaders has sparked strong criticism from Congress leaders, who accused the Bhagwant Mann-led state government of betraying the farming community.
Prominent Congress leader Imran Masood expressed deep concern over the crisis facing India's farmers, highlighting that more than 2,600 farmers had taken their own lives in recent years, yet their struggles continue to be overlooked by authorities.
"Farmers are being pushed to the brink, their rights are being stripped away, and instead of addressing these issues, the government is creating distractions through division and hatred," Masood said. He pointed to Maharashtra, where even highly respected farmers have succumbed to despair, leading to a surge in suicides.
Punjab Congress leader Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa condemned the crackdown, calling it a blatant betrayal. "After engaging in talks with the farmers, the government detained them without cause. This is a clear act of deception," he remarked, emphasizing that such actions erode public trust in the system.
Congress spokesperson Gurjeet Singh Aujla also denounced the arrests, calling them undemocratic. "How can you arrest people right after inviting them for negotiations? Even in times of war, dialogue takes precedence. Here, peaceful protesters were detained after discussions. This is unacceptable," he asserted.
Aujla further accused the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of mismanaging Punjab, leading to a deteriorating situation in the state. "In just three years, Punjab has been thrown into chaos. Bulldozers are being used indiscriminately, extortion is rampant, and governance is failing. We warned them in Parliament and the Vidhan Sabha, but they ignored us. Now, the damage is clear for all to see," he said.
He also questioned Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s commitment to farmers, stating that if he truly stood with them, he would ensure they were allowed to protest peacefully in Delhi. "Mann claims to support the farmers, yet he stops them from marching to Delhi. If he genuinely stands with them, he should allow their leaders to demonstrate at Jantar Mantar, where their voices can be heard," Aujla added.
Meanwhile, AAP leader Sandeep Pathak acknowledged the legitimacy of the farmers' demands but criticized their protest methods. "Blocking roads and disrupting daily life only harms local businesses and commuters. If their grievances are with the Central government, the protest should be directed there, not within Punjab," he said.
Pathak also accused both the Central government and Congress of exploiting the farmers' movement for political gains, thereby destabilizing the region. "The Central government has failed to address the farmers' concerns, but the bigger question is: Who can truly resolve these issues? If there’s national consensus, the Centre must take responsibility," he stated.
The Punjab Police’s crackdown resulted in the detention of 500-700 farmers at the Khanauri border, as officers dismantled protest sites that had been active since February last year. Meanwhile, in Haryana, bulldozers were used to remove barricades preventing farmers from advancing toward Delhi.
Among those detained were prominent protest leaders Jagjit Singh Dallewal and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha head Sarvan Singh Pandher, both arrested while leading demonstrations at the Shambhu and Khanauri borders.