COURTESY HT NOV 27

If Hazare can protest in Delhi, why not farmers: Akal Takht
HT Correspondent

letterschd@hindustantimes.com

AMRITSAR : Akal Takht acting jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh on Thursday said if anti-corruption crusader Anna Hazare could spearhead an agitation in Delhi, then why not farmers who were being stopped by the Haryana government from marching to the national capital to protest against the Centre’s contentious agriculture laws.

In a video message, he said, “We used to hear about the British government’s tactics to suppress resentment among the people.

Today, we are watching on the TV channels as how ice-cold water is being thrown with water cannons at the farmers by the Haryana government amid this cold weather. Long barricades have been placed to stop them from marching to exercise their right to protest. This is a condemnable act.”

“If Anna Hazare can launch a morcha (agitation) for Lokpal bill in Delhi and make an effort to take his voice to Parliament, why the farmers cannot do so?” he asked the government.

The jathedar further said, “Why are the farmers being treated this way? This is the battle between the BJP government and the Indian farmers. But the Centre and its agencies are trying to portray it as a battle between the government and the Punjab farmers.