SAD gives clarion call to party cadre to rush to three dharna sites on Delhi border in even larger numbers
(Bikram S Majithia tells SAD and YAD workers who had returned to Punjab during the last one week to return back)
(Denounces misuse of UAPA to intimidate farmers and senior journalists)
Chandigarh, January 29 – The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) today gave a clarion call to its party cadre to rush to the three dharna sites on the border with Delhi in even larger numbers to give a further boost to the Kisan Andolan even as it assured the peacefully agitating peasantry that the entire SAD leadership would reach the sites as and when requested by the farmer organizations.
In an emotional appeal here, party senior leader Bikram Singh Majithia appealed to all SAD and Youth Akali Dal (YAD) workers who had returned back to Punjab during the last one week to return back to the ‘dharna’ sites at Singhu, Tikri and Ghazipur. Stating that they were needed at the ‘dharna’ sites even more than before, Majithia said “I know a large number of you have been camping on the Delhi borders since the last two months. However the central government is making attempts to crush the Kisan Andolan in league with the BJP government of Haryana. We must ensure this nefarious design to silence the voice of the annadaata and disrespect the sacrifice of eighty martyrs does not succeed at any cost. No sacrifice is too big to ensure a win for the peasantry a well as ensuring peace and communal harmony is not disturbed”.
The Akali leader also condemned the crude attempts being made to suppress the Kisan Andolan by letting loose lumpen elements on peacefully agitating farmers at Ghazipur yesterday during the course of which Kisan leader Rakesh Takait was targeted. He said similar attempts were made at Singhu today. Describing such scenes as extremely unfortunate in a democracy, Mr Majithia said coercive steps like cutting off water and power supply to the dharna sites and stopping food from reaching them would only strengthen the Kisan Andolan even further. He said it was also condemnable that the central government was instigating communities to fight against each other and also fomenting fights between farmers as well as farmer organizations. He appealed to farmers, khet mazdoor and peace loving people to put their faith in ‘sarbat da bhala’ and maintain peace and communal harmony despite grave provocations like the disrespect shown to the Nishan Sahib yesterday by miscreants propped up by the Haryana government.
Majithia also denounced the manner in which the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) was being misused against farmer leaders and journalists, including senior journalist Rajdeep Sardesai. He said UAPA had been framed to act against those challenging the unity and integrity of India and that it should not be used to persecute anyone. “Doing so amounts to dictatorial conduct”, Mr Majithia said adding that farmers should not be singled out for fighting for repeal of the three Agricultural laws as well as implementation of the Swaminathan Commission report in letter and spirit. He simultaneously also pointed out that the central government had not taken any action against those who had indulged in wrongful acts on Republic Day which had sent a clear message to the people that State agencies were behind them.
