Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has also supported the agitating farmers on the borders of Delhi. During an online event on the 551st Prakash Parva of Guru Nanak Dev, Trudeau said that he has always been in favour of peaceful protests. He described the situation as worrying.
Trudeau said, “There is news coming from India about the farmers’ movement. The situation is worrying and the truth is that you too are concerned about your friends and families. I would like to remind that Canada has always supported the right to protest in a peaceful manner.”
First foreign leader to support farmers
Trudeau, 48, is the first foreign leader and head of state to support the famers’ movement. Farmers are protesting on the borders of Delhi for the sixth consecutive day with their demands. The government first used water canons to remove them.
But, the farmers are not ready to back off. The World Sikh Organization released a video in which, Trudeau said, “ We know the importance of dialogue and that is why we have told our concerns about this to the Government of India. This is a chance for everyone to come together.”
Indian Reaction
However, the Indian Foreign Ministry rejected Trudeau’s statement. The Foreign Ministry issued a statement which says, “We have seen some ill-informed comments by Canadian leaders relating to farmers in India. Such comments are unwarranted, especially when pertaining to the internal affairs of a democratic country. It is also best that diplomatic conversations are not misrepresented for political purposes,” India said in the terse message.
Also read: Lok Sabha Passed The Contentious Agrarian Bills Amid Protests: All You Need To Know
Apart from External Affairs Ministry many other leaders also reacted to Trudeau’s comment. Among them, Priyanka Chaturvedi, who joined the Shiv Sena after leaving the Congress last year, described it as an interference in India’s affairs. Tagging the Canadian PM, Priyanka wrote on social media – “Dear Trudeau, I can understand your concern. But to interfere in the politics of another country to shine your politics is not right. Please follow the tradition that we follow in the case of other countries. I also appeal to Prime Minister Modi to resolve this issue so that other countries do not get a chance to nudge in.”