Punjab: Congress MLAs disrupt governor’s speech, demand reference to farmers’ protests

There might be so many serious questions. I agree. But this is the time to deliver my speech. Why are you obstructing? This is not fair. I request you, this House is for debate, you will get ample time,” Purohit said.

The Assembly speaker also requested the Congress MLAs to let the governor complete his address. However, the MLAs kept raising slogans against the Centre, the AAP dispensation in Punjab and the Haryana government on the farmers’ issue. They also sought the registration of an FIR against Haryana home minister Anil Vij for alleged atrocities against the protesting farmers.

At this, the governor said, “In this situation, it is difficult for me to deliver the speech. As per the rules, I am reading out the first line and the last paragraph. This speech may be treated as read.”

While condemning the Haryana Police action against protesting farmers, the Congress MLAs also sought the registration of FIRs for injuries to farmers during clashes with the Haryana security personnel.

The Samyukta Kisan Morcha (non-political) and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM) are spearheading a farmers’ ‘Delhi Chalo’ march to press the government to accept their demands, including a legal guarantee of MSP for crops and a farm loan waiver.

Farmer Shubhkaran (21) was killed and 12 police personnel injured in clashes at Khanauri on the Punjab-Haryana border on 21 February. The incident took place when some protesting farmers were trying to head towards barricades. His last rites were performed in his village in Punjab’s Bathinda district on Thursday.