Election 2024: 'Democracy gives me right to campaign,' says BJP candidate ex-envoy Taranjit Sandhu as farmers show black flags in Amritsar
Amritsar (Punjab): Former Indian Ambassador to the US Taranjit Singh Sandhu, who has been fielded by the BJP from Punjab’s Amritsar in the upcoming Lok Sabha election, was shown black flags during his campaign trail in two villages of the district, media reports said.
However, the former bureaucrat said that democracy gave him the right to run his election campaign just like it gave farmers the right to protest.
"Democracy allows everyone the freedom of expression. The same democracy which allows them to protest, also allows me to carry out my campaign. We have plans to increase the farmers' income," NDTV quoted Sandhu as saying on the protests.
Farmers, standing along the streets waived black flags and sloganeered against him as his convoy passed through the area.
The demonstrations against his roadshow were organised in the Gangomahal and Kallomahal villages situated in the Ajnala tehsil, following a directive from the Samyukt Kisan Morcha, the leading force behind the farmers' movement against the now-repealed farm laws by the Centre.
The farmers have decided to stage protests against BJP leaders in various Punjab villages.
Taranjit Singh Sandhu finished his tenure as the Indian envoy to the US on February 1.
He officially joined the BJP on March 20, and within ten days, he secured a spot on the party's list of candidates for the Lok Sabha elections.
Hans Raj Hans, a renowned singer and the sitting MP for North West Delhi, nominated by the BJP for the Faridkot constituency, also faced farmer protests recently.
The resolution to oppose the BJP was passed during the Kisan Mazdoor Mahapanchayat held at Delhi's Ramlila Maidan.
Thousands of farmers participated in the mahapanchayat on March 14, during which a decision was made to escalate the protest against the Centre's agricultural policies.