NRI Punjabi politicians from Canada and the UK as well as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Vice-President-elect Kamala Harris showed great support for the farmers protesting in India and condemned the violence perpetrated by the Indian state on the peaceful protests after the national Narendra Modi government brought in anti-farmer bills designed for corporate takeover of the agricultural sector in India.

By DESIBUZZCanada Staff With News Files

VANCOUVER – NRI Punjabi politicians from Canada and the UK as well as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Vice-President-elect Kamala Harris showed great support for the farmers protesting in India and condemned the violence perpetrated by the Indian state on the peaceful protests after the national Narendra Modi government brought in anti-farmer bills designed for corporate takeover of the agricultural sector in India.

Politicians from Canadian MP Sukh Dhaliwal to UK MP Preet Kaur Gill condemned the use of force, teargas, water cannons, and restrictions, imposed by the Haryana and Delhi police.

Canada’s Foreign Affairs minister put out a strong message from the Canadian government, expressing ‘concern’ over violence against Indian farmers protesting market reforms

François-Philippe Champagne said during Monday’s question period that Canada is concerned over reports of violence against farmers protesting the Indian government’s market reforms law. He said the Liberal government has made senior diplomatic representations in New Delhi and Ottawa to express its concerns.

Canada Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan tweeted: “The reports of peaceful protesters being brutalized in India are very troubling. Many of my constituents have family there and are worried about the safety of their loved ones. Healthy democracies allow peaceful protest. I urge those involved to uphold this fundamental right.”

NDP leader in Canada Jagmeet Singh has tweeted: “The violence perpetrated by the Indian govt against farmers peacefully protesting is appalling. I stand in solidarity with the farmers from Punjab and across India - and, I call on the Indian govt to engage in peaceful dialogue rather than violence.”

UK MP Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi has posted: “It takes a special kind of people to feed those ordered to beat and suppress them. I stand with farmers of Punjab and other parts of India, including our family and friends, who are peacefully protesting against the encroaching privatization of #FarmersBill 2020.”

MP Randeep Singh Sarai wrote: "The Treatment of Punjab farmers is deplorable. Farmers are the strength and backbone of Punjab, and they deserve to be treated with respect. I stand in solidarity with the Punjab farmers”.

MP Sukh Dhaliwal said: “The right to peaceful protest is fundamental in any democracy, especially in the world’s largest. I am very disturbed by the treatment of Punjabi farmers in India- this blatant abuse by Indian authorities is unacceptable. I stand with the Punjab farmers”.

UK MP Preet Kaur Gil, also shared a clip along with a post stating, “This is no way to treat citizens who are peacefully protesting over the controversial farmers’ bill in India”.

Canadian MP Maninder Sidhu wrote: “Many of my constituents and I are deeply concerned about the safety of our family and friends in India. The right to peaceful protest is a constitutional right. Farmers in India should be able to voice their opinions and protest peacefully without fear for their safety”.

Conservative Canadian MP Tim Uppal took to Twitter, said: “India's farmers deserve to be heard and respected. This is horrific”.

MP from Brampton, Ruby Sahota, said: "The determination and resilience of the farmers is admirable. In a free and just society one should be able to advocate for their cause without the threat of force being used against them. The brutality being faced by Indian farmers in these images is deplorable”.

Jack Harris, Canadian MP, wrote: “We are shocked to see the Indian government's suppression of farmers protesting new laws which will endanger their livelihood. Instead of using water cannons and tear gas, the Indian government needs to engage in open dialogue with farmers”.

BC NDP MLA and parliament secretary of British Columbia, Canada, Rachna Singh shared a clip with The Tribune on the microblogging website.

“I am really saddened by the way #Punjab Farmers are being treated. This is unaccepted,” she wrote along with the video.

Ontario MPP Gurratan Singh, an anti-racial activist in Canada, has said: “The Indian govt's use of water cannons and tear gas on farmers protesting mass privatization of the agricultural sector and unjust reform of farming laws is appalling. They deserve respect for feeding the nation instead of being subjected to state brutality”.