British PM Boris Johnson confuses farmer protests with India-Pakistan conflict
This report was first published in Scroll.in and has been posted here without any alterations or editing. To read the original report, CLICK HERE
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Wednesday landed himself in a controversy after he appeared to confuse the ongoing farmers’ agitation against the agricultural laws in India with the conflict between New Delhi and Pakistan.
During the question period in the United Kingdom’s Parliament, MP Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi asked Johnson to comment on the ongoing protests in India, which have seen tens of thousands of farmers camped in the outskirts of Delhi for over two weeks now. The British MP has been a vocal supporter of the farmers and initiated a letter pledging support for the protests signed by 35 other lawmakers.
Dhesi said he was “horrified” to see that “water cannon, tear gas and brute force” was being used against the farmers and questioned the British government’s position on the demonstrations. “Will the prime minister convey to the Indian prime minister our heartfelt anxieties and our hopes for a speedy resolution to the current deadlock, and does he agree that everyone has a fundamental right to peaceful protest?” the British MP asked.
However, Johnson confused the protests that Dhesi was referring and seemed to imply they were a diplomatic matter. “Our view is that of course we have serious concerns about what is happening between India and Pakistan but these are pre-eminently matters for those two governments to settle,” he said.
Many were horrified to see water cannon, tear gas and brute force being used against farmers peacefully protesting in India about #FarmersBill2020.
— Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi MP (@TanDhesi) December 9, 2020
Everyone has the fundamental right to protest peacefully.
But it might help if our PM actually knew what he was talking about! pic.twitter.com/EvqGHMhW0Y
Dhesi looked perplexed at Johnson’s response. He later took to Twitter to criticise the prime minister, saying “it might help if our prime minister actually knew what he was talking about”.
“The world is watching, issue is a huge one with hundreds of thousands protesting globally (including in London, reported on by BBC) and the usual Boris Johnson bluff and bluster heaps further embarrassment onto our nation,” he added. “Absolutely clueless! So disappointed with his response.”
A United Kingdom government spokesperson said that the Prime Minister had “misheard” the question, reported India Today. “The prime minister clearly misheard the question in parliament today,” the spokesperson told the channel. “The Foreign Office are [is] following the issue of protests in India closely.”
The UK government has so far refused to be drawn into the ongoing protests in India, with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office saying the matter was an internal one, according to PTI. “The police handling of protests is a matter for the government of India,” said an FCDO spokesperson last week.
Hundreds of thousands of farmers, mostly from Punjab and Haryana, have been protesting near Delhi borders against the new agricultural laws, which they fear could pave the way for the government to stop buying grains at guaranteed prices, leaving them at the mercy of private buyers.Their agitation was met with violent action from police, who attempted to turn them back by using water cannons and tear gas.
The Centre, which claims the laws would revitalise India’s agrarian economy by boosting produce, has made several attempts to placate the farmers. But five rounds of talks have failed to break the impasse so far.
Courtesy: Scroll.in
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Chhattisgarh CM announces Rs 5 lakh aid for Kerala lynching victim’s family
Raipur (PTI): Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai has announced an assistance of Rs 5 lakh for the family of a migrant worker from the state who was killed in a mob lynching incident in Kerala.
Ramnarayan Baghel (31), a resident of Karhi village in Chhattisgarh's Sakti district, was allegedly beaten to death on December 17 after being accused of involvement in theft at Kizhakeattappallam of Palakkad district in the southern state.
Describing the incident as unfortunate and inhuman, Sai, in a post on 'X' on Monday night, said, "I am deeply saddened by the unfortunate and extremely inhumane incident that occurred with Ramnarayan Baghel, a migrant worker from Chhattisgarh, in Palakkad, Kerala. Such violence against any innocent citizen is a disgrace to civilised society."
He urged the Kerala government to ensure the strictest legal action against those involved in this heinous crime, so that such inhuman incidents don't recur.
ALSO READ: UP: 2 killed, 16 injured as 6 vehicles collide due to fog in Amethi
"The Chhattisgarh government stands firmly with the bereaved family with full sensitivity in this difficult time. I have announced a financial assistance of Rs 5 lakh to the victim's family," he wrote.
Sai stated that the deceased man's family members were immediately sent to Kerala, and arrangements have been made to bring his body to his native village with due respect.
The remains will be brought to Chhattisgarh by Tuesday, he added.
He reaffirmed that the Chhattisgarh government is fully committed to the safety, dignity and justice of its citizens and will extend all possible support to the victim's family.
According to Kerala police, five people have been arrested so far for allegedly beating Baghel to death on suspicion of theft.
