Karnal farmers protest printing of BJP-JJP leaders’ photos on foodgrain bags

Hundreds of farmers held protests at different locations in Karnal on Thursday against the printing of photographs of BJP and JJP leaders on foodgrain bags being distributed to BPL families under the ongoing Annapurna Utsav

Hundreds of farmers held protests at different locations in Karnal on Thursday against the printing of photographs of BJP and JJP leaders on foodgrain bags being distributed to BPL families under the ongoing Annapurna Utsav.

INLD supremo Om Prakash Chautala said the Haryana government is making fun of the poor. (HT File)

“Why did the Prime Minister and the Haryana Chief Minister get their photographs printed on the foodgrain bags when the grains were purchased from the taxpayers’ money?” asked Jagdeep Singh Aulakh, a farm leader from Karnal.

“Distribution of ration is going on for past several years but the BJP is trying to use it for political gains and spent lakhs on printing photos of the PM and the CM on the bags,” he added.

Another farm leader Rampal Chahal said, “We are not against distribution of foodgrains but printing of photographs of BJP leaders on the bags because they do not have any concern for the farmers camping at Delhi borders from past nine months. Now, the BJP-JJP leaders are trying to get cheap publicity by distributing foodgrains grown by the farmers.”

The farmers said they are protesting on call of the Samyukt Kisan Morcha and the agitation will continue till their demand to repeal the controversial farm laws is met.

A high drama was witnessed in Gharaunda as farmers protested the visit of BJP MLA Harvinder Kalyan, who was going to distribute ration as part of the Annapurna Utsav.

Similar protests were seen in the assembly segments of Assandh and Nilokheri as well where farmers opposed visits of political leaders.

Police detained some farmers in Gharaunda but they were released later.

MLA Harvinder Kalyan condemned the protests and said there should not be any objection to pictures of the PM and the CM being printed on the foodgrain bags.

Chautala slams govt over Anpurna Utsav

ROHTAK Former Haryana CM and INLD patriarch OP Chautala slammed the state government over the two-day Annapurna Utsav being organised under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Ann Yojana. Chautala said the government is making fun of the poor.

“The government has printed pictures of PM Modi, Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar and his deputy Dushyant Chautala on the foodgrain bags. These pictures cost ₹100 per bag while the wheat costs ₹96 per sack. This shows the government has organised the Utsav for their own promotion,” Chautala added.