New Delhi—Since the farmers started with their sit-in over two months ago, they have received constant support from creative and sports personalities of Punjab. Many prominent singers including Harf Cheema, Kanwar Grewal, Gurshabad have dug in their heels at Singhu border for the past 19 days. Farmer unions see this as an important aspect in “legitimising” their peaceful sit-in that many have tried to discredit as Khalistani or Naxalite movement.

State Secretary of the union, Shingara Singh Mann on Monday thanked artists, authors and entertainers for their solidarity saying it added more legitimacy to the movement that was being defamed by a section of government-friendly media. “Despite the misleading propaganda of the government to showcase the peasant struggle being hijacked by Khalistanis and Naxalites, the presence of artists, entertainers and writers apart from large convoys of farmers vehemently counters the propaganda,” he said.

The farmer leaders also reiterated that their protest was not “sponsored” by any political outfit nor will they let any political figure hijack it. From the beginning, the farmers are practising a clear policy of not letting any politician to address from the different stages they have set at Singhu and Tikri borders.

Meanwhile, BKU (Ekta-Ugrahan) held massive protest marches in 15 districts of Punjab, joined by a large number of farmers, women, labourers and even children who braved chilly weather.