After Canadian PM, British MPs Extend Support To Protesting Farmers In Delhi

A group of British lawmakers, cutting across party lines have become the latest from around the world to express their solidarity with the thousands of farmers who are protesting in Delhi.

36 Members of Parliament of UK have written to that country's Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab seeking the intervention of the government on the farmers' issue in India. Citing that the matter is an issue of concern for Sikhs in the UK.

AFP

The MPs, led by the Labour Party's Tanmanjit Singh Dhesi expressed concern over the development and asked Raab to pressurise India against the recently enacted agriculture laws which "exploit" the farmers and those who depend on farming.

Farmers from the Punjab and across India are peacefully protesting against #FarmersBill2020.

Following our October meet, further discussions and given strong sense of injustice felt by many constituents, cross-party letter from British MPs has been sent to the Foreign Secretary. pic.twitter.com/l8aZWiekor

¡ª Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi MP (@TanDhesi) December 4, 2020

"The Punjabi farming community is widely recognised as the backbone of the state's economic structure and the farmers' concerns are a powerful factor in national and state politics. It is therefore not surprising that it has resulted in a considerable fallout between the Centre and the elected politicians from virtually all political parties in Punjab," the letter stated.

AFP

"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," Desai further said in a Tweet.

Earlier, former England cricketer Monty Panesar and ¡°Bend it Like Beckham¡± director Gurinder Chadha had also expressed their support to the protesting farmers and criticised the way they were being treated.

AFP

This comes even as India is toughening its stand after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau spoke in support of the protesters.

To express India's displeasure, the MEA had summoned the Canadian envoy and warned that such ¡°actions¡±, if they continue, will have a ¡°seriously damaging impact¡± on bilateral ties.

AFP

Trudeau, however, did not back down and reiterated his country's position on the issue.

¡°Canada will always stand up for the right of peaceful protests anywhere around the world. And we are pleased to see moves towards de-escalation and dialogue,¡± he said in Ottawa when asked about India¡¯s move.