In a shameful act by BJPs Punjab unit, a Punjab farmer whose photograph was used by the party to promote the agriculture laws in its advertisements was found protesting at Singhu border. The poster boy has said his picture was used without his permission.
Harpreet Singh holds Masters in Software Engineering from the Indian Institute of Information Technology at Pune said he was informed by his friend that BJP has used his photograph on its Facebook page. A poster with Harpreet Singh's picture appeared on the Punjab BJP's Facebook page.
After the controversy, the photo was removed.
"The Punjab BJP used my photo on its Facebook page," claimed Singh adding that it was an old photograph.
"I am sitting at the Singhu border," he said, adding that the BJP used his picture without seeking his permission.
What they have done is wrong, said Singh on his Facebook page. He said, "Nobody is happy with these Bills (farm Acts). The BJP-led government should come to the Singhu border and see for itself which farmer is in favour of these laws,” adding that the picture was clicked six years ago and he had no idea on how BJP used his picture.
“How can they use my photograph without permission? I am thinking of taking legal action,’’ he said.
Singh belongs to Nadalon village, Hoshiarpur district in Punjab has been actively involved in the farmers’ protest, said farmers are fighting for their rights and "We (farmers) will return only after getting these laws repealed," added Singh.
The party first tried to malign farmers by linking them with Khalistanis and Maoists and later used the photo in its campaign to show how only a small group of farmers are protesting, he said. “If the farmers are happy with these laws, then why are they protesting at the Delhi borders?’’ he said, adding that he has been camping at Singhu border since the first week of December.
On being questioned about using a farmers photograph, Punjab BJP chief Ashwani Sharma said that the party will immediately look into the matter.
Legal Notice to BJP
Singh on Tuesday evening has sent a legal notice to the BJPs national Punjab unit Chief and office in charge seeking an apology within seven days for theft of photograph, using it without permission and how did they get it.
Why are farmers protesting?
Thousands of farmers are currently staying put at Delhi's borders with Haryana and Uttar Pradesh in protest against the Farmers' Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2020, the Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Act, 2020 and the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act, 2020.
They believe that these laws would pave the way for the dismantling of the minimum support price system, leaving them at the mercy of big corporations. However, the government has assured that the new laws will bring farmers better opportunities and bring in new technologies in agriculture.