[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 219 (Thursday, December 24, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1199]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           PROTESTS IN INDIA

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. ANDY LEVIN

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, December 24, 2020

  Mr. LEVIN of Michigan. Madam Speaker, I rise to condemn violence 
against Indians who are peacefully protesting laws they believe are 
unjust and stand with these peaceful protesters as they exercise a 
right that is fundamental in any functioning democracy.
  Since last month, Indian farmers have protested new, hastily-passed 
agriculture laws that could weaken traditional markets where some 
agricultural goods are guaranteed a minimum price. As a longtime union 
organizer, I support these farmers, whose hard work has earned Punjab's 
moniker as ``India's bread basket.'' I have also been inspired by the 
solidarity demonstrated by diaspora communities from Cincinnati, to 
Melbourne, to Silicon Valley, to Canton Township, Michigan, just 
outside my district. One Michigander with family in India, Amrinder 
Grewal, told the Detroit News that these new laws were ``ruining their 
lives.''
  I have also been heartened watching democracy in action in India and 
the popular support this movement is garnering throughout the nation 
and the global Indian diaspora. While I believe the Indian government 
should have consulted meaningfully with farmers before passing these 
laws, I welcome their efforts to engage with the protestors to ensure 
that legislation that affects these communities reflects their input 
and interests as well. At the same time, I'm concerned by reports that 
the Indian government has responded to the protestors with a heavy 
hand.
  The BBC reported this month that protesters arrived in Delhi to find 
that ``tens of thousands of police and paramilitary troops were 
deployed to halt their march'' and ``in several places, police fired 
tear gas shells and used water cannons to try to beat them back.'' As 
winter sets in, the situation has grown more dire: almost 30 protesters 
have died, some succumbing to the freezing cold.
  On behalf of my constituents who represent the vibrant Indian 
diaspora community and have rallied in support of these farmers, I call 
on the Indian government to respect the vital right to peaceful protest 
and to engage in good-faith talks to ensure farmers' livelihoods are 
preserved.

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