‘First repeal farm laws’: Rahul, Tikait intensify attack on PM
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) leader Rakesh Tikait on Friday continued their attacks on Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government over the new farm laws at separate mahapanchayats in Haryana and Rajasthan, respectively.
Addressing a rally in Rajasthan’s Hanumangarh, Gandhi said the new laws will render 40% of the people who are engaged in farming jobless, and the control will slip into the hands of corporates. “Agriculture protects food security of the country and India’s 40% people are dependent on agriculture which means crores of people are part of it, including small traders, workers, commission agents and others...”
For nearly three months, farm unions have camped outside Delhi demanding repeal of the Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2020, the Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Act, 2020 and the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act, 2020, which farmers say favour big
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corporations. The Centre has refuted the concerns, and offered to put the laws on hold for 18 months, but talks are currently locked in a stalemate.
The Congress leader urged the Centre to scrap the laws before further talks with farmers. “PM Modi says in Parliament that he wants to talk to the farmers but what talks do you want with farmers? End these laws first and then farmers will talk to you. You are snatching away land and the future of the farmers and asking for talks with them, there is no need for talks. First cancel these farm laws and then talk to farmers.” Satish Punia, president of BJP’S Rajasthan unit, hit back. “Rahul Gandhi should first reply on the poll promises made regarding farm loan waiver as still farm loans have not been waived in the state.”
In Haryana’s Bahadurgarh,
Tikait, too, hit out at the Centre. “Bukh ke saudagar ko jana hoga, ye lutreon ka aakhire badshah hoga, esko nahi jamne denge, esko jana hoga (The man, who is involved in the business of hunger will have to go, he (Modi) will be the last ruler of robbers, we will not allow him to settle here and he will have to go now,” the BKU spokesperson added.
Going firm on the demand for repeal of the agricultural laws, Tikait warned the Centre that there will be “no ghar wapsi” till their demands are fulfilled.
“We will not go back home until the barricades and iron spikes placed on Delhi’s borders are removed and our demands are met...” The BKU leader also alleged that the people of Gujarat were being jailed if they want to join the protest. “We will visit Gujarat and ensure that the people should get freedom.”