A large convoy of about 500 small business owners from the South Asian community gathered at Nathan Phillips Square in Toronto on Tuesday to support Indian farmers protesting for their rights in New Delhi.
A large group of business owners from the South Asian community, are rallying in solidarity with the farmers in India. Protesting the three agrarian laws that were passed in the Indian parliament. They’re now heading towards Nathan Phillips Square. #FarmersBill #FarmersProtest pic.twitter.com/4SlNt81YU0
— OMNI Television (@OMNITelevision) December 1, 2020
Amanpreet Deol, who is a small business owner in the city, was born to a family of farmers in India. He said that he feels obligated to stand by his people, even though he lives thousands of miles away from them.
Amanpreet Deol, the organizer of the rally says, “We want to show support and create awareness.” @LoveenGill with more on this story tonight! #FarmersBill #FarmersProtests pic.twitter.com/uqRaiS6kHi
— OMNI Television (@OMNITelevision) December 1, 2020
What caused these protests in India?
More than 300,000 farmers continue to block major highways for the sixth day in a row, prohibiting entry into India’s capital New Delhi. They’re protesting against 3 agrarian reform laws passed by the Parliament.
The Indian government has proposed reforms to the agricultural sector in the country, that farmers say would strip their minimum support price and leave them vulnerable to the market effects of big corporations, which would drive prices down.
Farmers from Punjab and Haryana marched on foot and in tractors and began their 10-day protest last Friday. Police used tear gas, barricades and water cannons to stop the protesters from moving forward. These farmers have now set up camps on 5 major highways in Delhi, with an intention of continuing their protest for months to come, if their demands aren’t met.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was the first international leader to make a statement about these protests. He extended his support to farmers in India, stating that “Canada will always be there to defend the right to peaceful protests.” Trudeau reassured Canadians that they have reached out directly to the Indian authorities, highlighting concerns.
NDP leader Jagmeet Singh also took to Twitter to express his concerns regarding these protests.
The violence perpetrated by the Indian govt against farmers peacefully protesting is appalling
I stand in solidarity w/ the farmers from Punjab and across India – and, I call on the Indian govt to engage in peaceful dialogue rather than violence
Thank you for your advocacy Jack https://t.co/tBU541Bp4a
— Jagmeet Singh (@theJagmeetSingh) November 28, 2020
Surrey-Newton MP Sukh Dhaliwal also tweeted earlier this week, saying that he was disturbed by the treatment of Punjabi farmers in India.
The right to peaceful protest is fundamental in any democracy, especially in the world’s largest
I am very disturbed by the treatment of Punjabi farmers in India – this blatant abuse by Indian authorities is unacceptable
I stand with the #PunjabFarmers #cdnpoli #SurreyBC pic.twitter.com/MQYQwL3AzS
— Sukh Dhaliwal (@sukhdhaliwal) November 27, 2020
However, a spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs in India, Anurag Srivastava lashed back, stating that comments made were ‘ill-informed’ and ‘un- warranted.’
We’ve seen some ill-informed comments by Canadian leaders relating to farmers in India. These are unwarranted especially when pertaining to internal affairs of a democratic country. It’s also best that diplomatic conversations aren’t misrepresented for political purposes:MEA Spox pic.twitter.com/HXtFTrsxCX
— ANI (@ANI) December 1, 2020
