New Delhi: As farmers from Punjab, Haryana, and several other states march towards Delhi for a mahapanchayat at Kisan Ghat to protest the proposed India-US
trade deal, Prime Minister Narendra Modi assures that his government stands firmly with the farming community. Speaking to the media, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said the Prime Minister reiterated the Centre's commitment to safeguarding the welfare and livelihoods of farmers. Rijiju said that during the National Democratic Alliance's (NDA's) party meeting, 'Mangal Milan', the Prime Minister highlighted the successes the country has achieved in recent months and spoke about the FTAs signed with various nations. "Regarding these agreements, the Prime Minister assured that the interests of farmers would be prioritised; he emphasised that no harm would come to them. He stated that the welfare of farmers remains paramount in any FTA signed with any country, ensuring that these agreements serve the best interests of both the farmers and the nation," the union minister told the media.
Punjab Farmers Head Towards Delhi, Haryana Police Seals Shambhu Border:
Haryana Police on Tuesday (July 21) sealed the Shambhu Border as farmers headed for Mahapanchayat in Delhi. Farmer leader from Punjab, Sarwan Singh Pandher slammed the Haryana government for barricading the border, reported PTI.
A day-long "Kisan Mahapanchayat" has been planned against the proposed India-US trade deal at Delhi's Kisan Ghat under the banner of "Desh Bachao Morcha". Farmer leaders had earlier said that participants from several places, including Punjab and Haryana, would take part in the Mahapanchayat.
Farmers from several places in Punjab have planned to move towards Delhi in buses. Pandher said farmers wanted to proceed peacefully to Delhi, but the Haryana government was stopping them at the Shambhu border.
Speaking to reporters in Fatehgarh Sahib, Pandher alleged that this exposed the "true face" of Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, who frequently visits Punjab and makes tall promises to its people.
Pandher said farmers want the proposed India-US trade agreement to be completely scrapped. He added that the future course of action will be decided by consulting with other farmer leaders upon reaching the Shambhu border point.
