Attacking the BJP-ruled Centre over the death of 57 farmers during the ongoing farmers’ agitation against farm laws, Punjab Congress president Sunil Jakhar on Tuesday said the Narendra Modi government has “blood on its hands”.
“The Modi government has blood on its hands,” Jakhar said while leading a march of Punjab Congressmen to the martyr memorial in Chandigarh. The participants placed 57 extinguished earthen lamps on ground to highlight the Centre’s apathy towards the loss of 57 farmer lives during the ongoing farmer agitation.
The Punjab Congress chief said this march and laying of 57 extinguished lamps by the Congress at a befitting martyr memorial in the state capital is to tell the Modi government to rise from its deep slumber and repeal the three black farm laws at the earliest.
“The sacrifice of these farmers will not go in vain. They are martyrs. Punjab and Haryana farmers have led the battle for the nation from the front. The Centre’s insensitivity towards the farmers’ cause will not last long,” Jakhar said.
The state Congress chief said the agitation has crossed way beyond 100-days with farmers being harassed and facing the bone-chilling winter months out in the open. “If the government’s intent was sacrosanct, the several rounds of talks with farmer representatives would not have remained inconclusive, “Jakhar said.
The martyr memorial in Chandigarh, he said, is a tribute to the brave soldiers who laid down their lives for the nation. Inherent in the sacrifice of farmers as well is an element of deep pride that the nation will never forget. The Centre should expeditiously clear the logjam before the situation worsens, he said.