London: Over 100 Conservative MPs, including Ministers have been contacted since Boris’s gaffe in PMQs last week on the mistreatment of peaceful farmers protesting in India.
All Conservative MPs who have responded have indicated they were disappointed with Boris Johnson’s lack of awareness and response with the totally inappropriate reference to Pakistan while replying to a question raised about India’s farmers protests by MP Tanmanjeet Singh Thesi.
It is understood Dominic Raab, the Foreign Secretary also met with Conservative MPs before he left for his 4-day trip to India and human rights violations in India, the violent reaction of police to the farmers peaceful protest and the case of Jagtar Singh Johal are understood to have been raised.
Boris Johnson is also believed to be under pressure to apologise for the farmer gaffe to Pakistan PM, Imran Khan for inappropriately mentioning Pakistan in his reply to Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi at PMQs.
Farmers protest at Singhu border of Delhi
Liberal Democrat party leader, Ed Davey also raised concerns before Dominic Raab left for India by describing the farmers legislation as controversial, the use of “militarised police” against protesters and the need to respect human rights.
Jagtar Singh Jaggi being brought to a Mohali based NIA court by police personnel | File Photo used for representational purpose
He urged Dominic Raab to raise these with the Indian government and make representations on the human rights situation for farmers.
Dominic Raab was expected to raise the farmer protests and Jagtar Singh Johal with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar today.
Boris Johnson is expected to come under intense pressure to call off his visit to India in January for the 26 January Republic Day celebrations given the famers protests and domestic issues.