Members of the Okanagan Valley91裸聊视频檚 Punjabi community gathered at Prospera Place in Kelowna Sunday afternoon (Dec. 6) in support of Indian farmers.
The demonstration took to the road, with a kilometres-long line of sign-donning, honking vehicles taking over the centre lane of Highway 97 as they made their way to Prospera Place. The protest 91裸聊视频� comprised of several local farmers of Indian heritage 91裸聊视频� is one of many that have taken place across Canada in recent weeks against several new agricultural laws imposed in September by the Indian government.
Those laws, in part, allow farmers to sell products directly to private buyers, rather than middlemen adhering to the state-controlled minimum support price (MSP), which since 2009 has safeguarded farmers91裸聊视频� profits. While Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has stated the laws will allow farmers to earn more money by opening new streams of revenue, farmers have expressed fears that private buyers won91裸聊视频檛 adhere to government-set minimum prices.
Several local farmers and members of Kelowna's Punjabi diaspora gathered at Prospera Place in Kelowna today, protesting what they called anti-farmer bills put in place by the Indian government.
91裸聊视频� Michael Rodriguez (@MichaelRdrguez)
Organizers estimated around 300 participated, in a COVID-safe manner.
More to come.
The new bills, protesters said, upend decades of business practices for Indian farmers, putting their livelihoods at risk.
91裸聊视频淚f we do not bring attention to what91裸聊视频檚 happening in India right now, it91裸聊视频檚 going to end in bloodshed,91裸聊视频� said protester Amarjit Singh Lalli. 91裸聊视频淎ll three [bills] favour corporations 91裸聊视频� they will wipe out the small farmers in India.91裸聊视频�
In India, the farmers91裸聊视频� protests near the country91裸聊视频檚 capital city, Delhi, have been met with tear gas and water cannons. This prompted what Indian officials called interference in its affairs by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who said Canada would always support the right of farmers to be heard.
91裸聊视频淐anada will always stand up for the right of peaceful protest anywhere around the world. And we91裸聊视频檙e pleased to see moves towards de-escalation and dialogue,91裸聊视频� Trudeau said Friday when asked about India91裸聊视频檚 criticism of his remarks.
READ MORE: Trudeau brushes off India91裸聊视频檚 criticism for standing with farmers in anti-Modi protests
The protesters in Canada stated their Indian counterparts 91裸聊视频� largely from the state of Punjab 91裸聊视频� are not being allowed their right to peaceful protest, and as such, the demonstrations have made their way across the globe.
91裸聊视频淚t91裸聊视频檚 been more than two months 91裸聊视频� the Indian government is not listening to them,91裸聊视频� said protest organizer Harpreet Marwaha. 91裸聊视频淚f that bill is applied 91裸聊视频� I don91裸聊视频檛 think they will be able to survive.91裸聊视频�
Organizers estimated that roughly 300 people took part in the protest, with all adhering to COVID-19 precautions they had set out.
The Kelowna protest followed a similar one .
-With files from the Canadian Press
Do you have something to add to this story, or something else we should report on? Email: michael.rodriguez@kelownacapnews.com
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