Chandigarh, December 6, 2024
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Punjab President Aman Arora has expressed solidarity with Punjab’s farmers who have been protesting at Shambhu and Khanauri borders for the past ten months. He appealed to the Central Government to urgently address their demands and warned against actions that could escalate tensions.
In a statement, Aman Arora said, “Punjab’s farmers have decided to begin a peaceful march from the Shambhu border towards Delhi. For the past ten months, farmer organizations and their supporters have been sitting at Shambhu and Khanauri borders, raising legitimate concerns. The Punjab Government has made numerous efforts to mediate and resolve their issues with the Central Government, but it seems the Centre is turning a deaf ear to their plight.”
Arora criticized the Haryana Government for imposing prohibitory orders that are now preventing the farmers from conducting their peaceful march. “Initially, it was stated that farmers may march on foot, but now we hear that Haryana has imposed restrictions to block them. Such actions are unjustified and only add fuel to the fire,” he added.
Calling out the Central Government and BJP for their attitude towards farmers, Arora said, “Farmers are the backbone of this nation. They have fed the country for decades and deserve respect and attention. Treating them like second-class citizens is not acceptable. The Centre must sit with the farmers and resolve their legitimate demands instead of treating them with apathy.”
He further warned that obstructing a peaceful protest march could lead to conflicts and aggravate the situation. “If the Centre and Haryana Police block peaceful protests, chances of confrontation and unrest will increase. Neither AAP nor the Punjab Government wants such a situation. It is imperative that the Centre handles this issue sensitively.”
Aman Arora condemned the Central Government’s actions against Punjab’s farmers, calling them unconstitutional and deeply unfortunate. “It is disheartening that in a country where Babasaheb Ambedkar gave every citizen the right to speech, right to expression and the right to life, the same Constitution is being trampled upon. Farmers are being stopped from entering their own capital, Delhi, with barricades and tear gas shells. This is a blatant misuse of power and a violation of fundamental rights,” he said. Arora emphasized that the Aam Aadmi Party and the Punjab Government strongly denounce such oppressive measures and stand firmly with the farmers in their peaceful struggle.
Arora appealed directly to the Prime Minister and BJP leaders, saying, “Delhi is the nation’s capital, and all 140 crore Indians have the right to enter it peacefully. I urge Modi ji, BJP, and the Central Government to change their attitude towards the farmers. Sit with the farmer organizations and address their legitimate demands immediately.”
BJP Looks Down on Farmers with Disdain; Time to Change Approach and Resolve Their Issues, Says Harpal Singh Cheema
AAP senior leader and Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema strongly criticized the BJP-led Central Government for its continued neglect and hostile attitude towards farmers. “The BJP has historically shown disdain for the country’s farmers, and their actions reflect a deep-seated bias against those who feed the nation. Human life is unsustainable without farmers, as they are the ones who produce the food we eat. It is high time the BJP changes its approach, listens to the grievances of the farmers, and provides concrete solutions to their issues,” said Cheema. He reiterated that farmers deserve respect and attention, not apathy and disregard, from the government.
