New Delhi: Even when India is battling the brutal second wave of COVID-19, the farmers protesting against the three contentious farm laws remain undeterred and continue their agitation at the Delhi borders.
Leaders from the ruling BJP, including Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, have held the ongoing farmers' protest the reason for the spread of COVID-19.
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Interestingly, the Congress continues to support the farmers' agitation despite the fact that the protestors are seen violating COVID-19 protocols.
"Ask Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Haryana CM to repeal the three farm laws... these farmers will immediately go back to their homes," Congress' chief spokesperson and general secretary Randeep Singh Surjewala told ETV Bharat.
Recently, a group of farmer leaders had blocked the convoy of Union Minister Narendra Singh Tomar in Sheopur, Madhya Pradesh, demanding the roll back of farm laws. In addition to this, Haryana's Hisar, too, witnessed clashes between farmers and policemen over the visit of CM Khattar. Haryana city has now become the epicentre of the farmers' agitation.
Speaking over the matter, Surjewala said, "These farmers have taken to streets because they see no other option. COVID-19 doesn't spread when Khattar inaugurates hospitals along with hundreds of his supporters but the farmers agitation will. Aren't these double standards?"
Also read: Farmers protest against Haryana CM in Hisar, police use tear gas to disperse demonstrators
He alleged that the Hisar clash was a "conspiracy" by the BJP government as CM Khattar decided to physically inaugurate hospitals instead of doing it via video conferencing. He said that the state government was trying to provoke the farmers.
"Farmers are fighting a battle for their existence. Rather than provoking them and aggravating the situation, the government should accept their demands. Farmers are not the superspreaders of Covid-19, the Modi government is," Surjewala asserted.
Meanwhile, Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh had recently made it clear that there was no question of 'sabotaging' farmers protest but no violation of the weekend restrictions in light of COVID-19 will be entertained.
In view of keeping themselves healthy, the protesting farmers have been consuming muti-vitamin and zinc tablets as supplements so they could boost their immunity and carry on the fight until the Centre heeds to their demands.
