"Human Rights Must Be Protected", Says UK MP On The Death Of 21-Year-Old Indian Framer
UK Parliament raised concern over the death of 21-year-old Shubkaran Singh at Khanauri border amidst the ongoing farmers’ Delhi Chalo march. Sikh member of the Parliamnet from Britain, Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi said that “freedom of expression” of the farmers must be protected. He also mentioned the incident of Indian government’s orders to suspend the accounts and posts on X that are linked to the farmers’ protest in India.
While addressing the parliament, Dhesi said “many of my Slough constituents, including members of the Sikh community and Gurdwaras have written to me regarding their serious concerns about the safety of protesting farmers in their attempt to march towards New Delhi”.
Citing the death of Shubkaran Singh, he said, “a protestor was killed during a reported standoff with the police wherein, the cause of death was, and I quote: “a bullet wound to the head””.
Media reports showed that X has suspended several accounts and tweets supporting the farmers’ protest. Dhesi said that “BBC has reported that X admitted to being compelled against their wishes to take down legitimate posts and accounts of activists. So, does the leader of the House agree with me that the freedom of expression and the safety of protestors and their human rights must be protected”.
He then asked what does UK government made to its Indian counterparts regarding the issue.
The UK government said it does support the right to protest and to “do so in safety” and ensured that the government will ask relevant officers to look in to the matter.
Earlier, Elon Musk’s X confirmed compliance with executive orders issued by the Indian government demanding the suspension of specific accounts and posts which are allegedly associated with the farmers’ Delhi Chalo protest. X voiced its disagreement with Indian government and emphasized its commitment to freedom of expression.
It said, “In compliance with the orders, we will withhold these accounts and posts in India alone; however, we disagree with these actions and maintain that freedom of expression should extend to these posts,”.
