Kisan Sabha protests Jangra's remarks, burns effigy in Rohtak

BJP's Rajya Sabha MP Ram Chander Jangra continues to face the wrath of various organisations, political parties and leaders over his alleged anti-farmer remarks.

Addressing a gathering at the inauguration of the cane-crushing season of Meham sugar mill in Rohtak district last week, Jangra had stated that drug-peddlers from Punjab had spread the drug menace in Haryana during the farmers' stir in 2021.

The BJP leader had also alleged that nearly 700 girls had gone missing from villages along the Haryana-Delhi border during and after the agitation, for which he blamed the agitators.

Jangra had later clarified that he had not levelled any allegations against the farmers and his modified speech had been aired by certain mischievous elements.

However, protests against Jangra continued, with activists of the local unit of the All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS) burning his effigy in Rohtak today.

Senior SKM functionary and national vice-president of AIKS Inderjit Singh demanded a public apology from Jangra for his disparaging remarks, which, he said, had not only tarnished the image of the historical farmers' struggle, but also brought down the dignity of office of a member of the Rajya Sabha.

He urged the Parliament's Privileges Committee to take suo motu cognisance of the public conduct of the MP and initiate disciplinary action against Jangra.

AIKS district unit president Preet Singh and secretary Balwan Singh said when people wanted a resolution of the farmers' issues and the condition of a farmer leader, Jagjit Singh Dallewal, was precarious, a BJP MP was indulging in filthy tactics to defame the agitation in the eyes of the public.

They said if the BJP did not take action against the MP, it would be presumed that he was doing it with the party's approval.

Meanwhile, a former CM, Bhupinder Singh Hooda, decried Jangra's remarks, saying that the BJP MP should have exercised restraint. "A person who assumes a responsible position should talk responsibly," he stated.

On the other hand, INLD leader Abhay Singh Chautala has sought social boycott of Jangra and asked the BJP leadership to take stern action against the MP.

"I want to ask Jangra who has given him the right to insult the farming community, which not only produces food grains for the entire country, but also sends its youth to the armed forces," he stated while talking to reporters in Rohtak.