India Tomorrow
NEW DELHI—Demanding a judicial investigation into the death of two farmers in police action to disperse agitating farmers assembled at the Punjab-Haryana border,Jamaat-e-Islami Hind (JIH) has appealed to the government to concede the demands of agitating farmers for a legal guarantee for minimum support price (MSP) for their produce.
The JIH, which is a leading religio-cultural organization of Indian Muslims, demanded accountability for those responsible for ordering the teargas shelling on farmers that reportedly resulted into the two farmers’ death.
The JIH also asked the government not to crush the farmers’ agitation in this regard and allow them to protest peacefully in a democratic manner.
The JIH condemned the government’s highhandedness and use of teargas shells to disperse the farmers who have assembled at the Punjab-Haryana border for their “Delhi Chalo” (Delhi march) agitation.
In a statement to the media, the JIH Vice President Prof. Salim Engineer condemned the highhandedness of the police while dealing with the agitating farmers.
He voiced concern saying, “We are deeply anguished by reports that two farmers have been killed due to police firing tear gas shells at the protesting farmers. The use of tear gas shells is unacceptable against farmers who are exercising their democratic right to demand MSP for their produce.”
“Farmers, the backbone of our nation, deserve appreciation, not violence,” Prof. Salim stated.
“We demand a judicial investigation into this incident and want accountability for those responsible for ordering the tear gas shelling,” the JIH leader demanded.
He also condoled the farmer’s death stating that “our thoughts are with their family members and all the farmers fighting for their rights.”
Prof. Salim Engineer said: “The government should listen to the farmers and accede to their demand for a legal guarantee for minimum support price (MSP) for agricultural produce. Jamaat-e-Islami Hind supports the demands of the farmers to include all crops under MSP, not just a selected few. MSP must be computed according to the Swaminathan Commission’s recommendations, which leads to higher MSP. The current regime causes uncertainty and is hurting the farmers. The government must address the problems of scarcity of resources, climate-related issues, declining water tables, and socio-economic changes that affect farmers’ financial security. The government must avoid arrogance and rigidity during negotiations. Although the issue is complex, it must be dealt with swiftly and resolved at the earliest.”
