In a telephonic exchange on Wednesday, Congress luminary Rahul Gandhi conversed with a farmer who had suffered injuries during a police operation at the Shambhu border near Ambala. Facilitated by Punjab Congress chief Amrinder Singh Raja Warring, this conversation transpired during Gandhi’s visit to a hospital in Rajpura where the injured farmer was under medical care.
Displaying concern, Gandhi inquired about the locations of the farmer’s injuries, to which the response revealed wounds on the hands and in proximity to the eye. The preceding day had witnessed confrontations between farmers and Haryana Police at two border junctures, with the former encountering tear gas and water cannons while attempting to breach barricades hindering their protest march toward the national capital.
Delving further, the former Congress president sought information on the number of protestors injured during the police intervention. As the ex-serviceman farmer expounded on the events, Gandhi vehemently asserted, “it is completely wrong.” Offering solidarity, he reassured the farmer, stating, “We are with you. Don’t worry.”
Acknowledging the farmer’s commitment to the nation’s well-being, Gandhi commended, “You are fighting for what is important for the country. You earlier worked for the country and you are doing it now as well. ‘Shabash’ (Well done). Best of luck.” Accusations were levied by farmer leaders on Tuesday, attributing the “attack” on protesters to the Centre, asserting that 60 individuals were injured due to police employing tear gas shells at Punjab-Haryana border points.