INDIA
Bid to label farmers as 'separatists', says British MP Dhesi

Chandigarh, Dec 13 (IANS): British Labour parliamentarian Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi, who has been a vocal supporter of the protesting farmers in India, has slammed the media for spreading 'misinformation' in a bid to label protesting farmers as 'separatists or terrorists'.

The outspoken Sikh MP for Slough, who earlier wrote to British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab along with 35 other cross-party MPs asking to raise the issue of farmers' agitation with New Delhi, tweeted on Saturday, "Your abuse and intimidation won't deter me from speaking the truth".



In a series of tweets, Dhesi said, "Some in the media have begun misinformation of labelling peaceful farmers, or those speaking up for them, as separatists or terrorists.

"You do a disservice to your nation and profession."

"Hater troll factory: your abuse and intimidation won't deter me from speaking the truth," he said.

He shared screenshots of media outlets that had made attempts to defame the protesting farmers.

"Can't take credit for attending a protest, let alone organising one. Please stick to the facts, rather than weakening one of the key pillars of a democracy," he added.

Dhesi last week asked Prime Minister Boris Johnson in Parliament to comment on the farmers' protests and asked to convey concerns about the force being used against them and a speedy resolution to the current deadlock to the Indian Prime Minister.

In a response, Johnson, who misheard the question and confused the protest with Indo-Pak dispute, replied, "Our view is that of course, we have serious concerns about what is happening between India and Pakistan but these are pre-eminently matters for those two governments to settle and I know that he appreciates that point."

In his earlier tweets, Dhesi said: "Many constituents, especially those emanating from the Punjab, have contacted MPs to express solidarity with the farmers opposing farmers Bill 2020 in India.

"Dozens of MPs duly deliberated and signed a cross-party letter, seeking justice for the peacefully protesting farmers."

The development comes as farmers, largely from Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh, have continued their protests at the Delhi-Haryana and Delhi-Uttar Pradesh borders.

The agitated farmers are demanding the repeal of the three farm laws passed by Parliament in September and have expressed apprehension that they would pave the way for the dismantling of the minimum support price system, leaving them at the mercy of big corporate houses.

The government has maintained that the new laws will provide farmers with better opportunities. It has also accused the opposition parties of misleading farmers.