(Samaj Weekly)
Farmers’ protest at borders of Indian capital city Delhi has evoked international response from various big countries across all continents of the world. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has reaffirmed his moral support to the peacefully agitating farmers for their genuine demands. Australia, UK, USA, Italy and other European countries having sizeable number of NRIs from farming background have given due recognition to the mishandling of these protests by Haryana Govt led by ruling BJP party. Haryana police had opened cold water cannons on farmers on November 25, during this winter. This action has viewed as Human Rights violations.
After failure of four rounds of talks with Cabinet Ministers, nothing serious headway is visible about withdrawal of 3 newly introduced farming laws. Farmers are determined for the final battle and supporters too are in good zeal.
But it is really a matter of intense grief to note that some singers and actors cross desired level of decency breaking sacred bond of communal harmony while speaking and highlighting the bravery of peasantry (Jatts). Recently one video of a popular star actor of Punjabi films earned criticism on social media, by belittling Dalit community while narrating a hypothetical story on the mike. He allegedly was addressing a dharna of protesting farmers. When the people from aggrieved community raised a strong voice against objectionable video, the culprit star realized his mistake and next day he apologized for his remarks and appealed to the angry community for forgiveness. It is nice gesture of that actor. But the question is why people do not control their words from slippery tongue.
Kangna Ranaut, a Bollywood actress is another such figure widely trolled on mainstream as well as social media for her politically motivated remarks calling one aged lady as ‘hired labour’ and farmers as ‘khalisthani‘ and terrorists. She was in the news about two months back when she made the target on Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Udhav Thakray. She has been provided with ‘z’ security by BJP run Govt of Himachal Pradesh, her home state. Now several Sikh organizations have moved to file FIRs against her for hurting religious sentiments.
Modi Government is silent on the issue, national media has got another ‘Newsmaker’ though for bad reasons. Farmers on protest are able to gain sympathy for nation wide ‘Bharat Bandh’. People at large should understand the evil designs of political games of the leaders at helm of affairs and maintain hard earned peace in Punjab.
– Kewal Singh Ratra
