Protesting farmers resort to violent attack on BJP MLA Arun Narang, tear his clothes

Arun Narang, MLA for Abohar, and other local leaders were surrounded by a group of protesting farmers in Malout, where they had gone to address a press conference.

पंजाब में किसानों ने बीजेपी विधायक अरूण नारंग को पीटा और उनके कपड़े फाड़ दिए…

(हिंसा ग़लत है) pic.twitter.com/kCDbxwZcsG

— Aadesh Rawal (@AadeshRawal) March 27, 2021

Protesters had already gathered near the BJP office in the area, waiting for Arun Narang to arrive. When he arrived, protesting farmers threw black ink at him, staining his car.

The MLA and local leaders were then taken to a shop by police officers. However, when they emerged from it, the protesters allegedly thrashed them and tore Narang’s clothes, according to police. The police later escorted Narang to a safer location.

On Saturday, a video of the MLA in torn clothes being shifted to a safer location by the police surfaced on social media. Jaspal Singh, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), Malout, stated that the protesters were adamant that the BJP legislators would not be allowed to hold a press conference. The incident resulted in a minor injury to a police officer, according to the DSP.

Some people “punched” Narang, according to PTI. “I was punched a lot, and my clothes were ripped off,” he claimed.

An FIR has been filed once more. Section 307 (attempt to murder) and other relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code have been registered against 250-300 unknown protesters (IPC). According to police, an investigation is underway to identify the accused. In Punjab, the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), the Bharatiya Janata Dal (BJP), and the ruling Congress all condemned the incident.

SAD chief Sukhbir Singh Badal condemned the “violent attack” on Narang and demanded an impartial investigation to determine who was responsible for the “failure of the police in protecting the dignity of an elected representative.”
BJP national general secretary Tarun Chugh launched an attack at the Amarinder Singh-led Punjab government over the incident and claimed that it has “exposed the complete collapse of law and order in the state”.

Terming the incident as a “murderous attack”, Chugh accused the ruling Congress of engineering it. Amarinder Singh was “instigating such attacks in order to stifle the voice of the BJP”, Chugh alleged and demanded that the chief minister resigns.

State Congress chief Sunl Jakhar, meanwhile, said such “unlawful behaviour” has no place in a democracy and that the farmers’ protest will be weakened by these incidents.

Calling the attack “highly unfortunate”, Jakhar said everyone should be allowed to present his views and every citizen should respect each other’s right to speak. No one should be allowed to take law and order in their own hands, the state Congress chief said.

SAD leader Daljit Singh Cheema also condemned the attack and described it as “painful”. He said that in a democracy, everybody has a right to put forth his views, adding that there is no place for violence in society.

Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) leader Darshan Pal said such behaviour is not encouraged and appealed to all protesters to remain disciplined and peaceful.

“Today, farmers protested against BJP MLA from Abohar. Under adverse circumstances, it turned violent and the MLA was physically assaulted.

“It is a matter of regret that an elected representative was treated this way. We do not encourage such behaviour. We strongly condemn this act,” Darshan Pal said in a statement.

SKM is an umbrella body of farmers’ union spearheading the agitation against the Centre’s farm laws.