Those who have labelled farmers ‘Khalistanis’ should apologise: Senior BJP leader Laxmi Kanta Chawla

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, December 3

Senior BJP leader and former health minister of Punjab, Laxmi Kanta Chawla has asked those who had labelled the protesting farmers as ‘Khalistanis’ to apologise to the farmers of the state.

“Whosoever has said that they (farmers) are ‘Khalistanis’ or some of them are ‘Khalistanis’, should seek an apology from them and the country,” Chawla said.

In a video released by her, she said, “There are a few politicians and others who have used this (Khalistani) word. Do not forget, many among them (farmers) might have served in the armed forces and children of many others are currently guarding the country.” She said the farmers not only produced food but also guard the borders of the country.

Praising the farmers and their leaders for holding the peaceful protest, Chawla also has a message for the politicians of the country. “Even if a small protest is held, many public and private properties are burnt and people are harassed. The farmers have been protesting for over the past two months and have caused no damage to any public property. The politicians must learn from the farmers,” she said.

Chawla also requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah to address the problems of the farmers at the earliest so that they did not have to protest on the roads. She also praised the Union Home Minister for reaching out to farmers.

Chawla said the government was like parents for the public and parents should not be too adamant. She said the government should sit with the farmers, listen to them and fulfill their justified demands. The government should be serious in its approach otherwise why farmers would gather to hold protests.