Terms Arrests of Jagjit Singh Dallewal & Sarabjit Singh Pandher a Direct Assault on Democracy, Farmers’ Rights
Date: March 19, 2025 ( harmel singh ) Chandigarh/Jalandhar Senior Congress leader Sukhpal Singh Khaira & Mla has strongly condemned the forcible and undemocratic arrests of prominent farmer leaders Jagjit Singh Dallewal and Sarabjit Singh Pandher by the Bhagwant Mann led Punjab government. Calling it a shameful act of political oppression, Khaira said this crackdown exposes the Mann government’s anti-farmer and dictatorial mindset.
“It is utterly disgraceful that instead of addressing the real issues faced by Punjab’s farmers such as Minimum Support Price (MSP) guarantees, rising debt, and exploitation by corporate giants the AAP government has chosen to crush the democratic right to protest through brute force. This blatant suppression of voices fighting for Punjab’s agrarian economy is a betrayal of the very farmers who form the backbone of our state,” said Khaira.
Khaira accused the Bhagwant Mann government of acting as a puppet of the BJP-led central government, which has been desperate to dismantle the farmers’ movement ever since the historic protests against the now repealed farm laws. “By arresting farmer leaders without cause, Bhagwant Mann has exposed his complete submission to Delhi’s dictates. It is now evident that AAP has sold out to the BJP and is executing its orders to muzzle Punjab’s farmers just as Modi’s government attempted earlier,” he stated.
The senior leader further warned that these arrests will not break the spirit of Punjab’s farmers but will instead fuel their resolve to fight back even harder. “Farmers are the soul of Punjab. No amount of state-sponsored repression can silence them. The people of Punjab will never forgive Bhagwant Mann and AAP for turning against those who put food on the nation’s table,” he added.
Khaira also pointed out that the Punjab government’s actions directly violate constitutional rights, including the right to peaceful protest and freedom of expression. “This is a black day for democracy in Punjab. The Mann government, which once promised to be the voice of the people, has now become a tool of dictatorship, crushing dissent with an iron fist,” he asserted.
Demands Immediate Release of Arrested Farmer Leaders & End to Repression
Khaira demanded the immediate and unconditional release of Jagjit Singh Dallewal and Sarabjit Singh Pandher, along with all other farmers who have been detained for raising their legitimate demands. He called upon all democratic forces, farmer unions, civil rights groups, and opposition parties to stand united against the anti-farmer, anti-democratic actions of the Punjab government.
“The Bhagwant Mann government must understand that Punjab’s farmers are not weak, nor are they alone. Any attempt to crush their voices will meet with strong resistance across the state. We will not rest until justice is served, and those responsible for this crackdown are held accountable,” said Khaira
