Farmers' protest: Separate demonstrations by Punjabi singers irk many

PATIALA: Amidst widespread protests held across Punjab, separate demonstrations staged by singers and artists irked a large number of farmers and activists, who alleged that this had been done at the behest of central agencies to weaken the sit in.
A large number of artists held protests in various parts of the state, but these were held separately from the demonstrations held by farmers' unions.
This enraged a number of young farmers, who had come out on roads against the farm ordinances passed by the BJP-led central government.
Balkar Singh, a farmer leader from Lachkhani village, said singers and artists did this to draw young farmers away from the protests. " Why didn't they come out and protested against the ordinances earlier. Why this day was picked by them," he contended.
Another farmer Pritam Singh said it was clear that the idea behind holding these protests was to weaken the farmers' movement, which was done at the behest of the central agencies.
Kartar Singh said when several political parties and other organisations joined the farmers' protest, why did the singer's had to organise separate protests.
Nirbhai Singh 'Milty' Kamboj, president district youth Congress (patiala rural) said it had been decided to participate in the protest as farmers and not as a political party. "We went and sat with the farmers without any party flags. But it was unfortunate that instead of coming along with the farmers, some known singers and artists held separate protests to pull the youth out of the crowds. Same was the case with Shiromani Akali Dal, who did not join the farmers. But they have failed miserably."
Meanwhile, the protest held at Shambhu border saw huge participation of young farmers who converged on the border from Sangrur, Barnala, Muktsar, Faridkot, Ludhiana, Fatehgarh Sahib and adjoining districts.
Even in urban areas, people expressed complete solidarity with the farmers and kept their businesses closed for the entire day.