15-hr farm law debate in House
Centre heeds to demands for debate in Rajya Sabha, Oppn urges govt to repeal legislation
NEW DELHI: The Rajya Sabha on Wednesday began a 15-hour discussion on the farmers’ agitation after the Centre heeded to the Opposition demand, with the latter unanimous in urging the Narendra Modi-led government to repeal the three farm laws while the government stuck to its stand that the laws were pro-farmers and the protest is part of a conspiracy.
Speaking during the discussion on the motion of thanks to the President’s address, Bharatiya
Janata Party (BJP) MP Bhuwaneswar Kalita, who moved the motion, said the agri laws were passed after extensive discussions in Parliament and opposition parties “should not make the farmers agitation another Shaheen Bagh”.
The BJP has alleged that the Opposition has stoked fears about the new farm laws just as they did with the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, or CAA, which seeks to fast track citizenship for persecuted minorities from neighbouring Muslim-majority countries. In December 2019, there were widespread protests against CAA with hundreds of people agitating at Delhi’s Shaheen Bagh; the BJP has likened those protests to the ongoing farmers’ stir at Delhi’s borders.
“The benefits of these important farm laws have started reaching more than 100 million people and small farmers. There has been no reduction in the rights and facilities of farmers. Through these agriculture reforms, the government has given new rights to farmers,” Kalita said.
BJP MP from Uttar Pradesh Vijay Pal Singh Tomar, who seconded the motion, said those criticising the farm laws are spreading misinformation as the new laws only stand to help small and marginal farmers. He said the laws were passed after extensive deliberations and there have been 12 expert committees in the past two decades on farm reforms.
After the Upper House was adjourned thrice on Tuesday following disruption and protest by the members of the Opposition who wanted the day’s business to be suspended to take up the issue at the farm