Jat leaders criticise flag hoisting but say stir will go on

ROHTAK: Haryana farm leaders, khap representatives and political leaders, mostly from the Jat community, have distanced themselves from those who stormed the Red Fort and hoisted the Nishan Sahib on Republic Day.

Haryana Kisan Sabha secretary Balbir Singh Takhan said they condemn the incident; however, the peaceful agitation will continue across the state.

“Our protest is against the three farm laws. We do not support the miscreants who were planted by the government to hoist the Nishan Sahib on the Red Fort. The force used by the Delhi Police against the protesters is not acceptable. Why did the home ministry fail to assess the law-and-order situation? How did a group of people manage to enter the Red Fort? We will continue to protest peacefully until our demands are met,” he added.

Tekram Kandela, head of Jind’s influential Kandela Khap, said a few anti-social elements had entered the farmers’ tractor-parade to defame the farming community.

“A farmer can neither disrespect the Tricolour nor indulge in violence. The khaps have extended full support to the farmers and we will stage a continuous sit-in protest until these laws are repealed and the government passes a law that guarantees minimum support price (MSP). Police should take action against those who hoisted the flag,” he added.

Sombir Sangwan, an independent MLA from Dadri, who had withdrawn support from the BJP-JJP government over farm issues, said he was with the protesters and they will intensify the protest unless their demands were accepted.

“Farmers should keep a tab on those reaching their dharnas and identify miscreants. The government should resolve farmers’ issues instead of levelling allegations of farmers being anti-national, Khalistani or it being a China-sponsored agitation,” Sangwan added.