CHANDIGARH: Bittu’s scathing attack on farmer leaders over foreign funding and blackmail adds fuel to his complex political tensions.
Ravneet Bittu, now a BJP MP, has a complex and turbulent relationship with Punjab’s farmers and Khalistani extremists, rooted deeply in his family’s history. As the grandson of Beant Singh, the former chief minister of Punjab who was assassinated in 1995 by Khalistani militants, Bittu’s political journey has been marked by personal loss and numerous challenges. His recent transition from Congress to BJP has only exacerbated these tensions, particularly in light of his latest remarks accusing farmer leaders of foreign funding and blackmail.
On Wednesday, after filing his nomination for Rajya Sabha from Rajasthan, Bittu launched a scathing attack on several farmer leaders, claiming foreign funds were influencing them. He argued that while the actual farmers were busy tending to their fields and water pumps, certain leaders were receiving financial support from abroad to disrupt central projects and stall development in Punjab. Bittu accused these leaders of not representing the genuine concerns of the farmers but instead engaging in blackmail, preventing land acquisition for vital infrastructure projects like national highways, airports, and railway tracks.
Bittu’s accusations come in the context of his troubled history with the Farmers’ Protests. On January 24, 2021, while still a Congress MP, Bittu faced significant backlash from protesting farmers at Delhi’s Singhu border. He had gone there to participate in the ‘Kisan Sansad’ organised at the Guru Tegh Bahadur Memorial, only to be heckled and shouted down by the angry crowd. The incident underscored the deep mistrust between Bittu and the farming community, many of whom view him with suspicion due to his family’s legacy and political positions.
Later that year, on July 26, 2021, Bittu, still a Congress MP, demonstrated his solidarity with the farmers by joining Rahul Gandhi in a high-profile protest against the controversial farm laws. The two leaders made a symbolic gesture by riding a tractor to Parliament, positioning themselves as champions of the farmers’ cause. However, this act of support now seems distant, as Bittu’s alignment with BJP has led to a significant shift in his rhetoric and actions.
In his latest statements, Bittu did not hold back, warning that anyone attempting to enter Delhi with bombs, stones, or swords would be stopped, regardless of their origin. He defended the government’s position, stating that while farmer leaders were free to visit Delhi for discussions, they must do so without resorting to violence or bringing weapons. His stance reflects his current alignment with the BJP, contrasting sharply with his earlier position in Congress.
However, Bittu’s remarks did not go unchallenged. Farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal responded by urging the Central government to investigate the alleged foreign funding sources to bring clarity to the matter. Dallewal’s rebuttal highlights the ongoing conflict between Bittu and the farmer leaders, with both sides standing firm on their respective positions.
The friction between Bittu and the farmer leaders extends beyond rhetoric. Bittu accused these leaders of preventing even an inch of development in Punjab, alleging that they were obstructing projects that could bring significant benefits to the state. He claimed that despite the willingness of farmers to offer their land for these projects, a small group of leaders was misleading them and holding the state’s progress hostage through blackmail and propaganda.
On the same day, tensions flared further when a meeting in Patiala to discuss the Supreme Court’s order to reopen a lane at the Shambhu border, ended without resolution. Haryana Police suggested that farmers should travel to Delhi without their vehicles, but the farmer leaders insisted on taking their tractors and trolleys, citing long-standing government inaction as the reason for their preparations. This deadlock underscores the deepening divide between the government and the farmers, with no immediate resolution in sight.
Bittu’s remarks also touched on the upcoming Haryana elections, where he expressed confidence in BJP’s ability to secure victory. He attributed BJP’s strong position to the public’s frustration with the farmer leaders, whom he accused of running propaganda campaigns for their own benefit.
Bittu highlighted BJP government’s efforts to support farmers, particularly through the provision of a substantial Minimum Support Price (MSP) for various crops, which he claimed amounted to nearly Rs 1 lakh crore.
As Bittu navigates his new role within the BJP, his relationship with Punjab’s farmers and his stance on the issues that matter to them will continue to be scrutinised.
His background, marked by personal tragedy and a tumultuous political career, adds layers of complexity to his public image, making his every move a focal point of attention and controversy in the region.