Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Punjab's Media In-Charge Baltej Pannu launched a scathing attack on the BJP-led Central Government, saying that it has completely abandoned the nation's youth and farmers while resorting to repression instead of dialogue. He said it is deeply unfortunate that today both the country's jawan (youth) and kisan (farmers) are on the streets, but the Modi government has chosen to ignore their genuine concerns.
During a press conference, AAP Punjab State Media In-charge Baltej Pannu said that for several weeks students have been peacefully protesting at Jantar Mantar, demanding the resignation of the Union Education Minister. "These young people have not indulged in violence, blocked roads or created inconvenience for the public.
Their only demand is that they be heard. Instead of listening to them, the BJP government unleashed Delhi Police on innocent students," he said. Condemning the police action, the AAP Punjab Media In-charge pointed out that even young girls aged 13 and 14 were not spared during the crackdown.
"Many students were injured and several are still undergoing treatment in hospitals. This brutal response exposes the anti-student mindset of the BJP government," he said. Expressing solidarity with the protesting students, he said AAP National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal has already issued a helpline number for the affected students and personally met the injured in hospitals.
He said the AAP stands firmly with every student and will provide all possible legal and medical assistance whenever required. Turning to the farmers' agitation, Baltej Pannu asserted the Centre is sacrificing the interests of Indian farmers through its trade policies.
He said the proposed trade agreement with the United States would severely damage Indian agriculture, especially Punjab's cotton growers. Baltej Pannu said cotton imported from the United States is cheaper than the Minimum Support Price (MSP) available to Indian farmers.
"When cheap foreign agricultural produce floods the Indian market, our farmers will be pushed into an economic disaster. The BJP government is leading Punjab's farmers and the country's agriculture into a dark tunnel," he remarked. He further criticized the BJP governments at the Centre and in Haryana for preventing farmers from travelling to Delhi to peacefully present their concerns.
"Farmers have been stopped at the Shambhu border. Ironically, the Haryana Chief Minister keeps visiting Punjab and repeatedly claims to stand with farmers, but the same double-engine government continues to block their democratic right to protest," he said.
Baltej Pannu demanded that the Haryana Government immediately open the Shambhu border and allow farmers to proceed to Delhi peacefully. "These farmers are not carrying weapons or posing any threat to the nation's capital. They only want to place their concerns before the Government.
Every citizen has the constitutional right to protest peacefully," he said. Recalling the previous farmers' movement, Baltej Pannu said the country had already witnessed the sacrifice of over 750 farmers. "The BJP government should learn from history instead of repeating the same mistakes.
Suppressing democratic voices will never solve the crisis. The government must open the roads, engage with farmers and address their legitimate concerns instead of erecting barricades against its own citizens," he added.