leader of Opposition Sunil Jakhar has blamed that none but Gujarat government and its Chief Minister Narendra Modi is responsible for eviction of Sikh farmers from their legally acquired lands. On the other hand, he said that Akalis in Punjab are trying to pass the buck and are bartering interest of Sikh farmers for their own political interests.
“After becoming Gujarat Chief Minister in 2002, on Modi’s directions, Gujarat Government refused to acknowledge these settled Sikh farmers at rightful owners of their lands and in 2003, eviction notices were served upon them,” said Jakhar.
He added that when the rights of farmers were restored to them through High Court order, Narendra Modi’s Government went into appeal against the order of Supreme Court to ensure these Sikh farmers are deprived of their land rights. Jakhar said that according to Gujarat Congress chief Arjan Modwalia, Congress in its 2012 Gujarat manifesto had promised to restore the rights of these farmers and will now do everything possible to help these farmers.
These farmers were given rights to acquire land and electricity connections during Congress regime and now while these farmers are being evicted by Modi’s Government on the other hand, they are doling out land to industrialists who are non Guajaratis.
The process of eviction of Sikh farmers depicts the anti-minority attitude of Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi, he said. Akali leadership of Punjab is not sincere to get this issue resolved otherwise the matter can be restored in favour of Sikh farmers through act of Gujarat legislature , where BJP has complete majority, Jakhar rued.