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British MPs support Indian farmers' agitation, write to lawmaker Dominic Raab

WION Web Team
New Delhi, Delhi, IndiaUpdated: Dec 05, 2020, 03:49 PM IST
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Photograph:(Reuters)

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The development comes as farmers have continued their protests at the Delhi-Haryana and Delhi-Uttar Pradesh borders.

A faction of over 30 cross-party MPs in Britain, led by the Labour Party's Tanmanjit Singh Dhesi, have come out in support of the ongoing farmers' agitation in India.

The development comes as farmers have continued their protests at the Delhi-Haryana and Delhi-Uttar Pradesh borders.

The 36 lawmakers wrote to UK Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab to raise the matter with the Indian government.

The MPs, in a missive to Raab, asked to pressurise India against the recently enacted agriculture laws which "exploit" the farmers and those who depend on farming.

They also urged the Foreign Secretary to hold talks with the Indian government.

In his letter, Dhesi, the Labour MP for Slough, said that last month several MPs wrote to the Indian High Commission in London about the impacts of the three new farm laws.

"This is an issue of particular concern to Sikhs in the UK and those linked to Punjab, although it also heavily impacts on other Indian states," the letter said.

It called for an urgent with Raab to discuss the situation in Punjab and its relationship with the Union government.

In a tweet, Dhesi said: "Many constituents, especially those emanating from the Punjab, have contacted MPs to express solidarity with the farmers opposing farmers Bill 2020 in India. Dozens of MPs duly deliberated and signed a cross-party letter, seeking justice for the peacefully protesting farmers."

The agitated farmers are demanding the repeal of the three farm laws passed by Parliament earlier this year and have expressed apprehension that they would pave the way for the dismantling of the minimum support price system, leaving them at the mercy of big corporate houses.

The government, on its part, has maintained that the new laws will provide farmers with better opportunities.