Sukhpal Singh Khaira, former Leader of Opposition and rebel AAP MLA recently accused GOI of acting vindictively and spitefully against farmers in Punjab. He added that GOI is trying to teach a lesson to the agitating farmers instead of accepting their legitimate demands.

In a statement, Khaira said that this discriminatory attitude betrays a hidden sense of hatred and ill-will that the BJP leadership has towards Punjab. He further added that the agitating farmers have kept their protests peaceful and that not a single incident of violence has taken place during the last couple of months of agitation. He further admonished the centre that instead of accepting the farmers’ demands or reasoning out with them, the BJP-led NDA government at Centre has stopped the supply of all essential commodities  to Punjab, particularly through the rail network.

Khaira also said that there is an urgent need of fertilizers for sowing of wheat crop. Likewise, there is a complete shortage of coal to run the thermal plants of the state and that people are also awaiting general supply of items for the upcoming Diwali festival.

He added, “But the BJP, on a totally false pretext, has stopped all trains to Punjab, even though the farmers have vacated the rail tracks for supply of essential commodities”.

Khaira said that it is a pity that the farmers of Punjab who have helped India become self-sufficient in food-grain production have been left in the lurch by successive central governments.

He also said that in order to fill the food granary, Punjab farmers have virtually destroyed their natural resources. He added that ever since the Green Revolution, widespread use of fertilizers, insecticides and pesticides have not only ruined the soil but also contaminated the groundwater to such an extent that there is now a prevalence of cancerous disease in the state. Khaira asked GOI to accept the genuine demands of the farmers and allow the goods trains to Punjab so that fertilizers, coal, and other materials can reach the people.

The author is a member of Amity center of Happiness