Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut has said that farmers protesting against the three farm laws are not misguided.
Responding to Union Minister Nitin Gadkari's statement that farmers have been misled, Raut said, "When farmers from Punjab voted for you, were they misled then? When they vote for you then there is no misguiding. When they raise voice against you in democracy, then you say they are misguided or kept in the dark. This is wrong."
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari on Tuesday said photographs of those "who have nothing to do directly or indirectly with demands of farmers" have been seen during the protest over three farm laws, noting that photo of a "jailed person" from Naxal-affected Gadchiroli district was seen in the protest and also of people "who gave anti-national speeches in Delhi".
Yesterday Gadkari had said, "People who gave anti-national speeches in Delhi, who have no relation with the country and farmers, who have nothing to do directly or indirectly with the demands of farmers, their photos have been seen. Please tell me how they came in this. There are some elements who are trying to mislead the farmers by taking advantage of the agitation. I feel it is wrong."
When asked about Rahul Gandhi's tweet, the Shiv Sena leader said, "What Rahul Gandhi has said is the feeling of the country. When something happens in JNU or when some students protest you call them anti-national. Whoever speaks against the government is called anti-national by the government. The farmers are sitting in protest. They belong to Punjab. Half of their families serve in the army. But they are called anti-national. If I say something then I will be called as anti-national."
"If you call opposition as anti-national, then it is like an emergency. The government has no standards. It is a democracy and you have to listen to the voice of the opposition," Raut added.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday slammed Central government over its stand on dissenting voices in the country.
In a tweet, the former Congress president said, "For Modi Govt: Dissenting students are anti-nationals. Concerned citizens are urban naxals. Migrant labourers are Covid carriers. Rape victims are nobody. Protesting farmers are Khalist. And crony capitalists are best friends."
( With inputs from ANI )
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