Amid covid curbs, Punjab CM appeals to kisan unions to put off anti farm ordinances protests
Also writes to all registered political parties in state to avoid gatherings in people’s interest
cityairnews
Jul 16, 2020 08:47
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Chandigarh: Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Wednesday appealed to the various kisan unions in the state to postpone their planned protests against the anti-farmer Ordinances of the central government in view of the restrictions in place to check the spread of Covid.
Reacting to reports that several farmers’ unions had announced their decision to go ahead with the protests despite the imposition of curbs on gatherings, the Chief Minister urged them not to take a confrontationist approach in the matter in the current circumstances, given that Section 144 was in place and all gatherings were barred in the state.
Restraint was the need of the hour, he said, calling upon the unions to help the state government in checking the spread of the Covid pandemic in the interest of Punjab and its people.
Though the issue of the farm ordinances was vital to the state’s interests, any physical protests at the moment would harm Punjab, he pointed out, advising the unions to use the social media to express their anger and garner support against the Ordinances, which were also against the federal character of the nation.
Meanwhile, in a letter to all the registered political parties in the state, the Chief Minister today issued a personal appeal not to hold any political gatherings in view of the pandemic and the restrictions imposed to contain its spread.
These are tough times, with cases rising across India, Captain Amarinder pointed out, urging the parties to rise above political considerations in the prevailing situation and strengthen his government’s efforts to save the lives of the people and protect the future generations.
Politics and protests of any kind can wait, but Covid won’t, the Chief Minister stressed, adding that it was a collective battle which can be fought effectively with the collective efforts of one and all. /(July 15)
