As the farmers have intensified their protests against new agricultural laws, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau becomes the world’s first leader to comment on the ongoing farmers’ protest in India. He has said Canada will always be there to defend the rights of peaceful protest, noting that the situation is concerning.
To mark the 551st birth anniversary of Guru Nanak, Trudeau, in an online event, said the news coming out of India about the protest by farmers. The situation is concerning and we are all very worried about family and friends. I know that’s a reality for many of you. Let me remind you, Canada will always be there to defend the rights of peaceful protest.
Farmers’ giant demonstrations have entered the sixth day. The agitated farmers braving water cannons, tear gas shells, lathi charge, Covid-19 pandemic and cold have entered Delhi and some of them are camping on the outskirts of Delhi fearing their protest will weaken if they go to the protest site decided by the government. The protesting farmers have been demanding the repeal of the new agricultural laws by the central government.
Meanwhile Shiv Sena deputy leader Priyanka Chaturvedi did not welcome Trudeau’s remarks, pointing out that the farmers’ protest is India’s internal matter. Responding to Trudeau’s statement, she tweeted that India’s internal matter is not a fodder for another nation’s politics.
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Following intensified protests, the Centre on Tuesday invited agitating farmer unions for talks, two days ahead of a scheduled meeting. The development came a day after the protesting farmers rejected the Centre’s offer to start talks as soon as they continued to stay put at the Singhu and Tikri borders of the national capital. However, some groups are upset with the government’s decision. Punjab Kisan Sangharsh Committee’s joint secretary Sukhvinder S Sabhran said that there are more than 500 farmers’ groups in the country, but the Centre has invited only 32 groups for talks. He said the committee won’t be going for talks till all groups are called.