Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) condemns the police brutality against farmers in Bathinda

Chandigarh(The Uttam Hindu): Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) has strongly condemned the actions of the Punjab government, describing the police’s use of force against farmers in Bathinda as illegal, undemocratic, and unjust. The farmers, who were peacefully protesting for fair compensation for land acquired under the Bharatmala project, were subjected to a violent lathi charge and tear gas by the police. The SAD strongly opposed the government's heavy-handed approach, stating that instead of addressing the legitimate concerns of the farmers, the authorities chose to suppress them.

This, the party said, demonstrated the government's intentions to oppress rather than resolve the issue peacefully. In a statement, SAD’s spokesperson and head of the legal cell emphasized that the Punjab government should have listened to the farmers’ grievances calmly and worked towards a solution, rather than resorting to violence. Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) condemns the police brutality against farmers in BathindaThe party demanded that Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann ensure that farmers receive a fair price for their land and that all arrested farmers be immediately released. Harsimrat Kaur Badal, the Member of Parliament from Bathinda, also strongly condemned the incident. In a tweet, she expressed her shock, stating, "Shockingly, the Punjab Police under the stewardship of Chief Minister @BhagwantMann is tear gassing farmers at Dunewala in Bathinda for raising their voice against unfair land awards under the Bharatmala project. Instead of committing atrocities against farmers, @AAPPunjab should ensure fair land awards as per the precedent set by former Chief Minister S Parkash Singh Badal."

She further criticized the Punjab government for its oppressive tactics and appealed for the implementation of fair land awards based on the principles of justice established by her father-in-law, former Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal. Harsimrat Kaur Badal urged the government to follow his example, which ensured that farmers were treated fairly and received proper compensation for their land, rather than resorting to violent repression. The SAD party has called for the Punjab government to immediately address the farmers' demands and to ensure that such incidents of police violence against peaceful protesters do not occur again.