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People lash out at Johnson over India-Pakistan gaffe

5 years ago
5 years ago
2 mins

Lahore, 10th December: People have rightly raised criticism over the British Prime Minister for his mindless comment on Farmer’s Protest in India.

According to the report of Baaghi TV, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson was strongly criticised from members of the UK parliament after he termed the ongoing protests by Indian farmers as a matter between India and Pakistan.

During the UK’s Parliament session on Wednesday, Johnson confused two separate issues when he reiterated the UK government’s stance that any dispute between India and Pakistan was for the two countries to settle bilaterally.

During the session, the Sikh Tanmanjeet Sindh Dhesi asked Johnson to show solidarity with the tens of thousands of farmers in India protesting against the Narendra Modi government’s anti-farmer bills.

The opposition lawmaker said, “Many constituents, especially those emanating from Punjab and other parts of India, and I were horrified to see footage of water cannons, teargas and brute force being used against peacefully protesting farmers. However, it was heart-warming to see those very farmers feeding those forces who had been ordered to beat or suppress them. What indomitable spirit and it takes a special kind of people to do that.”

To this, the premier replied, “Our view is that of course, we have serious concerns about what is happening between India and Pakistan but these are pre-eminently matters for those two governments to settle and I know that he appreciates that point.”

In his ignorance, Johnson had replied with an official line repeatedly used for Indo-Pak matters in Kashmir. He had clearly confused the current farmers’ protest with the ongoing Indo-Pak dispute over Kashmir.

“Many were horrified to see water cannon, tear gas and brute force being used against farmers peacefully protesting in India about #FarmersBill2020. Everyone has the fundamental right to protest peacefully. But it might help if our PM actually knew what he was talking about!” said Dhesi after he tweeted about the incident.

He also wrote, “The world is watching, the issue is a huge one with hundreds of thousands protesting globally (including in London, reported on by BBC) and the usual Boris Johnson bluff and bluster heaps further embarrassment onto our nation. Absolutely clueless! So disappointed with his response.”

Unsurprisingly, Twitter bashed the British premier over his gaffe:

“Hello @BorisJohnson it is not India Pakistan matter, it is about Indian farmers being suppressed by Indian government Consult  @JustinTrudeau  if you are finding it difficult to understand the current situation,” said a Twitterati.

 

“Is it too much to ask for a PM who knows the difference between Kashmir & Punjab?” tweeted Labour MP for Coventry South Zarah Sultana.

“Just a reminder, that @BorisJohnson was the former Foreign Secretary. Yet, he still managed to confuse Punjab with Kashmir. A former Foreign Secretary” tweeted another Labour MP Afzal Khan.

“Nonetheless, UK PM @BorisJohnson’s reply was a gaffe. How are #FarmersProtest in #India a matter between India & #Pakistan and “pre-eminently a matter for those two govts to settle”?” said another user @SiddiquiMaha.

It may be noted that farmers across India, especially in the states of Punjab and Haryana, have been out on the streets to protest against laws passed by the BJP government in September. According to the farmers, the agricultural legislation will devastate crop prices and threaten their livelihoods.

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