The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) on Tuesday said the Union Government as well as the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) party led Punjab government were equally responsible for the deepening agriculture crisis in the country, even it appealed to both governments to engage with farmers and do their utmost to save the precious life of Kisan leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal.

In a statement here, senior SAD leader Dr Daljit Singh Cheema said it was shocking that even though the Supreme Court was monitoring the fast unto death of the Kisan leader almost of a daily basis, both the union government as well as the State government in Punjab were resorting to a blame game and playing politics on such a sensitive issue.

Advertisement

“Efforts are also on to polarize the entire issue which is condemnable and could be dangerous for a border State like Punjab,” he said.

Dr Daljit Cheema appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to take the lead and create an atmosphere which could lead to the end of Jagjit Singh Dallewal’s fast.

“For this to take place the Prime Minister should notify the guarantee on Minimum Support Price (MSP) immediately. This is in keeping with the assurance made to the people of the country when the Prime Minister withdrew the three agricultural laws which led to the end of the Kisan Andolan.”

He said besides this the Union Government should also withdraw the draft agriculture policy as farmers felt many clauses contained in the three agricultural laws were being reintroduced in the policy through the back door.

“Once this policy is withdrawn then an open hearted dialogue can be initiated with all stakeholders to chart out all future policies on agriculture”.

While asserting that these steps would go a long way in removing the aggravating factors which had resulted in the present Kisan agitation, Dr Cheema condemned chief minister Bhagwant Mann for failing to shoulder the requisite responsibility to ward off the present crisis.

“Even now it is not too late. The Chief Minister must approach the Prime Minister immediately and impress upon the latter to take the necessary steps to save the life of the fasting Kisan leader whose health is in an extremely precarious condition. Mr Bhagwant Mann should impress upon the union government that the angst of the farmers of Punjab should be assuaged and that not doing so would spell trouble for the border State.”

The SAD leader also appealed to both the union government and the Punjab government not to indulge in legal formalities to save their skin in case the fasting Kisan leader’s health takes a turn for the worse.

“The situation is extremely alarming and sincere efforts should be made to save Mr Dallewal’s life and repair the relationship with the farming community which will be severed irreparably in case any harm comes to the fasting Kisan leader.”