Ranjit Singh Brahmpura addresses media.
We are living in ‘emergency-like situation’ under Modi’s rule: Brahmpura
Harshabab Sidhu
Chandigarh, February 15, 2021:
Shiromani Akali Dal (Taksali) president Jathedar Ranjit Singh Brahmpura today said that the country is now facing an ‘emergency-like situation’ under the rule of the NDA government. Slamming the Modi government, Brahmpura said that around 200 farmers have lost their lives during the ongoing agitation but no one from the NDA government spoke even a single word on the issue. He also demanded from the central government that the families of farmers, who died amid the Kisan Morcha, should be provided with an ex-gratia grant of Rs 50 lakh and a government job.
The leaders of SAD (Taksali) held a meeting of the core committee today here to discuss various current issues.
Addressing the media at his house in Sector 15 here, Ranjit Singh Brahmpura said, “Around eight months have been passed since the farmers of Punjab started this agitation against the three black laws. It is shameful the NDA government has not yet spoken a word in the sympathy of farmers, who have died while fighting for their rights. Also, the eleven rounds of talks between the government and the farmer unions failed to produce any output. The government should resolve this issue at the earliest.” He added that Punjab had played a crucial role in independence but the government is treating the farmers of Punjab like their enemies. “At the time of independence, the maximum number of Punjabis sacrificed their lives and these people are calling the farmers of Punjab as andolanjeevi, traitors, and khalistanis,” said the Taksali leader.
Brahmpura also alleged that the Badal family is responsible for the current pathetic situation of farmers. He said, “The Badal family, especially Harsimrat Kaur Badal supported the farm ordinances for three months. But when the bills were passed, she created drama by resigning. The Badals have duped all the people of Punjab through their politics.”
Talking about farmer unions, he said the leaders like Rakesh Tikait, Balbir Singh Rajewal, Dr. Darshan Pal, Joginder Singh Ugrahan and others, played a vital role in the massive Kisan Morcha. He said the government tried their best to disperse the agitation but with the efforts of Tikait, the protest again took the stand. “We, the Taksalis are always with our union leaders, who sacrificed a lot by leaving their homes since the agitation is started,” said Brahmpura.
Karnail Singh Peer Mohammad, Ujagar Singh, Babbi Badal, Manmohan Singh, and Daljeet Singh Gill were also present at the press conference.