A group of protesting farmers entered the national capital on Tuesday, as they pressed for their demands for loan waiver, lower electricity tariff etc. The protest took a violent turn as the farmers broke the barricades at the UP border, that were placed for safety by the police. The rally, ‘Kisan Kranti Padyatra’ also resulted in various traffic diversions and advisories that were issued by the Delhi Police for Tuesday, in east and north-eastern parts of the national capital.
Protesting in support of the unfulfilled demands of the farmers, Bharatiya Kisan Union President Naresh Tikait raised questions on obstructions placed on them for entering the national capital.
“Why have we been stopped here (at UP-Delhi border)? The rally was proceeding in a disciplined manner. If we don't tell our government about our problems, then whom do we tell? Do we go to Pakistan or Bangladesh?”, Tikait said.
The protest also drew sharp reactions from leaders of the Opposition parties, criticising the government at the Centre for leading the farmers to stage violent protests.
Here are some of the prominent reactions from leaders of the Opposition parties:
Rahul Gandhi
The Gandhi Jayanti celebrations of the BJP began with barbaric thrashing of the farmers coming to Delhi. Now farmers cannot even enter Delhi to narrate their ordeal, tweeted Congress President Rahul Gandhi.
Arvind Kejriwal
Farmers should be allowed to enter Delhi. Why are they not being allowed to enter Delhi? This is wrong. We are with the farmers: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on 'Kisan Kranti Padyatra' obstructed at Delhi-UP border.
Randeep Singh Surjewala
On birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, Modi govt has shown that it is no different from the pre-independence British government in India. British government then used to exploit the farmers and today Modi government is firing tear gas shells at farmers: Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala
Akhilesh Yadav
This government has not fulfilled the promises it made to farmers, so it is all but natural that farmers would protest. It is unfortunate and we fully support the farmers: Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav
Sitaram Yechury
It reconfirms the fact that Modi government is anti-farmer. Instead of providing relief to farmers they are exasperating the crisis further forcing farmers to be under debt burden and distress suicides. We haven't seen such an agrarian distress in India since independence: CPM leader Sitaram Yechury
KC Tyagi
Peaceful and unarmed farmers going towards Raj Ghat were brutally treated, they were lathi charged and teargas shells fired on them. We condemn this: JDU’s KC Tyagi
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