Labour MP for Slough recently tweeted that more than 100 MPs and peers from various parties in had written to Prime Minister Boris Johnson expressing their concern over the farmers’ protest in India.
Tan Dhesi has been leading a campaign in favour of the protests by the Indian farmers against the Indian government’s proposed farm laws. In his letter dated January 5th, Dhesi asks Johnson, in no uncertain terms, to take up the matter of the farmers’ agitation and the police action on them with Prime Minister Narendra Modi whenever they meet next.
It is understood to be sent after the British government announced that Johnson would not be travelling to India as chief guest of the Republic Day functions so as to be able to oversee the response to the coronavirus situation in the UK. The “current deadlock” that Dhesi has tweeted about refers to rounds of talks between farmers’ unions and the Centre.
The letter noted, “Many constituents, especially those emanating from Punjab and other parts of India, were horrified to see the use of water cannons, tear gas and brute force being used on hundreds of thousands of peacefully protesting farmers. The issue has so galvanised the Indian diaspora community, especially those of a Punjabi or Sikh background, and others who have land or links to farming in India, that tens of thousands engaged in global protests, including in towns and cities across the UK.”
