"I were horrified to see footage of the water cannon"
MP Tan Dhesi has criticised Prime Minister Boris Johnson for his apparent lack of knowledge towards the ongoing farmers’ protest in India.
Mr Dhesi addressed the issue in the House of Commons and asked the PM to inquire about a possible resolution to the matter.
The farmers’ protest have been going on for more than a week.
While protests have largely been peaceful, there have been reports of police using brute force to disperse the protestors.
Use of water cannons, tear gas and brutality have been reported on.
The protests have attracted attention all over the world and many have shown their support for the farmers.
Tan Dhesi addressed the matter in the House of Commons. He explained that many UK MPs, especially those of Indian origin have expressed their concern after seeing police brutality against the farmers.
He said: “Many constituents, especially those emanating from the Punjab and other parts of India and I were horrified to see footage of the water cannon, tear gas and brute force being used against peacefully protesting farmers.
“However, it was heartwarming to see those very farmers feeding those forces who had been ordered to beat or suppress them, what indomitable spirit and it takes a special kind of people to do that.”
Mr Dhesi then requested the PM to tell PM Modi that the UK is concerned and hopes for a speedy resolution.
He also called for Mr Johnson to ask the Indian PM if he agrees that everyone has a right to peacefully protest.
However, when Mr Johnson spoke, he seemed to not know what the farmers’ protests were about.
“Of course we have serious concerns about what is happening between India and Pakistan.”
“But these are pre-eminently matters for those two Governments to settle and I know that he appreciates that point.”
Although there have been tensions between India and Pakistan, the matter is solely related to India and Mr Dhesi took to Twitter to criticise the PM.
Many were horrified to see water cannon, tear gas and brute force being used against farmers peacefully protesting in India about #FarmersBill2020.
Everyone has the fundamental right to protest peacefully.
But it might help if our PM actually knew what he was talking about! pic.twitter.com/EvqGHMhW0Y
— Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi MP (@TanDhesi) December 9, 2020
Mr Dhesi went on to express his disappointment with Mr Johnson’s response, given that the protests have seen further protests of solidarity across the world.
He stated that the issue is a huge one but the PM continues to heap “further embarrassment onto our nation”, calling Mr Johnson “clueless”.
Mr Dhesi said: “The world is watching, issue is a huge one with hundreds of thousands protesting globally (including in London, reported on by BBC) and the usual Boris Johnson bluff and bluster heaps further embarrassment onto our nation.
“Absolutely clueless! So disappointed with his response.”
The world is watching, issue is a huge one with hundreds of thousands protesting globally (including in London, reported on by BBC) and the usual Boris Johnson bluff and bluster heaps further embarrassment onto our nation. Absolutely clueless! So disappointed with his response.
— Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi MP (@TanDhesi) December 9, 2020
Thousands of farmers have been demonstrating against Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s laws which they believe will endanger their livelihoods.
Protestors have blocked major highways as they held talks with the government, however, both are yet to reach a conclusion.
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