Mr Johnson said India’s farmers’ protest against new laws was an issue between New Delhi and neighbouring Islamabad, it’s long time rival.
On Wednesday, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson was slammed on social media after implying India’s farmers’ protest against new laws was an issue between New Delhi and neighbouring Islamabad, it’s long time rival.
Member of Parliament Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi, during question period in the United Kingdom’s parliament, said “water cannon, tear gas and brute force” was being used against the Indian protesters and questioned the British government’s position on the months-long demonstrations.
“Will the prime minister convey to the Indian prime minister our heartfelt anxieties and our hopes for a speedy resolution to the current deadlock, and does he agree that everyone has a fundamental right to peaceful protest?” Mr Singh asked.
Responding to his question, PM Johnson said: “Our view is the right honourable gentleman knows well is that of course, we have serious concerns about what is happening between India and Pakistan.”
“But these are pre-eminently matters between those two governments to settle, and I know he appreciates this point,” Mr Johnson further added.
Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi, tweeting the video of the interaction, said it might help if PM Johnson “actually knew what he was talking about”.
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! pic.twitter.com/EvqGHMhW0Y
— Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi MP (@TanDhesi) December 9, 2020
“The world is watching, 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,” Mr Dhesi further added.
Right after Mr Johnsons’s goof-up, social media users called him out for not having the understanding of the issue.
British member of Parliament Afzal Khan, calling it “a new low even for Boris Johnson”, said: “The issue has nothing to do with India and Pakistan. Incredible.”
A new low even for @BorisJohnson
My friend @tandhesi asked an important question at #PMQs about the peaceful protests by farmers in Delhi
The PM responded with a rehearsed & unrelated answer about India & Pakistan
The issue has nothing to do with Pakistan. Incredible. pic.twitter.com/yUFPOakY0h
— Afzal Khan MP (@Afzal4Gorton) December 9, 2020
Zahra Sultana, another parliamentarian, pointed out that Johnson seemed to confuse the farmers protest with the international conflict between India and Pakistan over the disputed region of Kashmir.
“Is it too much to ask for a PM who knows the difference between Kashmir and Punjab?” she asked on Twitter.
At today's #PMQs:@TanDhesi: Will the PM speak up for protesting farmers in Punjab facing repression?@BorisJohnson: I have concerns about what is happening between India & Pakistan.
Is it too much to ask for a PM who knows the difference between Kashmir & Punjab? ♀️
— Zarah Sultana MP (@zarahsultana) December 9, 2020
India and Pakistan do not really have a cordial relationship with its neighbour Pakistan over Kashmir, a territory both claim but rule partly.
However, the recent farmers’ agitation is against the three new farm laws passed by the Modi government that farmers think are meant to benefit corporates.
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