Strongly condemning the tragic incident at LakhimpurKheri in Uttar Pradesh, Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Channi on Tuesday daredthe BJP to respect democratic ethics and values rather than stifle the voice ofpeople.
Staging a silent protest in front of the bust of MahatmaGandhi here, the Chief Minister accompanied by his Cabinet colleagues, MLAs andparty workers resolved not to succumb to the excesses of the BJP-led governmentat the Centre and in the states to intimidate the people by unleashing a reignof terror.
Equating the barbarous incident at Lakhimpur Kheri withthe Jallianwala Bagh massacre, the Chief Minister said this recent incident waspre-planned to intentionally crush the innocent farmers who were peacefullyprotesting against the farm laws.
Channi said the BJP would not succeed in its nefariousdesigns to demoralise the farmers, thus diverting them from their path ofpeaceful agitation.
Later, talking to the media, the Chief Minister slammedthe Uttar Pradesh government for arresting Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi whohad planned to meet the victims' families at Lakhimpur Kheri to expresssolidarity with them in this hour of grief.
He said with such acts the Congress would emerge farstronger to eventually oust the BJP government not only at the Centre but inthe states also.
The Chief Minister cautioned the Centre not to force theyouth to follow a revolutionary path in the wake of such unfortunate incidents,who would ultimately draw inspiration from legendary martyrs like Bhagat Singh,Rajguru, Sukhdev and Udham Singh to seek justice.
Channi appealed to the Centre to repeal the farm laws andmaintain peace, harmony and brotherhood at all costs.
Earlier, the Chief Minister paid floral tributes at thebust of Mahatma Gandhi and resolved to seek inspiration from the Father of theNation to protect democratic rights.