At a time when Punjabi and Bollywood celebrities are jumping on the bandwagon and supporting the farmers’ protests without even caring to understand the farm bills, they have further exacerbated the situation by their strategic silence over the presence pro-Khalistan elements in the protests. Unlike others, actor and Gurdaspur BJP MP, Sunny Deol has taken the lead in showing the way as he has taken a nuanced stance, coming out in the support of the farmers while also condemning the presence of pro-Khalistan elements in the protests.
BJP MP Sunny Deol who had recently tested positive for the COVID-19 was under the flak from people as being an MP from Punjab, Deol was yet to comment on the farmers’ protest and clear his stance. Yesterday, Sunny Deol took to Twitter to comment on the raging issue and his balanced take on the issue must be appreciated.
— Sunny Deol (@iamsunnydeol) December 6, 2020
Strongly coming out in support of the farmers, Deol in a statement said, “I request the whole world that it is a matter between our farmers and the government. Do not come between them, because both will find a way after discussions.”
In what can be read as an indirect reference to the pro-Khalistan elements who have hijacked the protests, Deol said, “I know that many people want to take advantage of the situation and are creating problems. They are not thinking of farmers. They may have their own agenda.”
Sunny Deol was recently in the eye of the storm as his pictures with Deep Sidhu went viral. Sidhu managed to hog the limelight for all the wrong reasons as he supported Sikh militant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale post which, Sidhu was barred by the Farmers Unions from speaking from their stage.
Commenting on his links with Deep Sidhu, Deol clarified, “Deep Siddhu, who was with me during the election has not been with me for a long time and whatever he is speaking, he is saying on his own. I am in no way related to his activities. I stand with my party and farmers and will always be with farmers. Our government always thinks of the betterment of farmers and I am sure that the government will ensure the right outcome after holding talks with farmers.”
It is a travesty that the protests have been hijacked by pro-Khalistani elements as in one of the videos from the protests, one of the demonstrators can be seen threatening PM Modi with dire consequences if an immediate solution is not reached at in the upcoming meeting between the farmers and the Centre on December 3 over the farm laws.
An alleged farmer is heard saying,“December 3 ko meeting hai, agar hal koi hua toh thik hai nahin toh…aap jaante nahin…hamare shaheed Udham Singh ne goro ko Canada me jake thoka…Indira thok di…Modi ki chhati mein…”(If no solution is reached at in the December 3 meeting, you don’t know, our shaheed Udham Singh shot the colonisers in Canada. Indira Gandhi was taken down. Similarly, in Modi’s chest…”).
In some other videos, the alleged farmers are heard wishing death upon Prime Minister Modi: “haye haye modi mar gaya, mar gaya bhai mar gaya.”As another instance in the video, the demonstrators shout, “Ikki dukki chakk deyange, dhaun te goda rakh deyange (Everyone will be knocked out, their necks will be under our feet).”
Two hours into the video, a protestor heap praise on Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan, while suggesting that PM Modi is the enemy of protesters. “Pakistan’s PM Imran Khan is our friend. Our enemy is sitting in Delhi,” the man is heard saying.
Punjabi and Bollywood celebs who wish to foray into the farmers’ protests must take a leaf out of Sunny Deol’s stance and take a balanced take on the issue, which urges for a quick solution rather than pontificating over the issue and demanding a repeal of the farm laws.
