Farmers Movement Archive

Cong protests at Bapu Kuti against farm laws

Wardha: The Congress on Saturday held satyagraha at Bapu Kuti in Sewagram to oppose the three contentious farm laws enacted by the Central government. Led by Maharashtra Congress president and revenue minister Balasaheb Thorat, party office-bearers and members observed the day as ‘Kisan Adhikar Diwas’ to mark late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s death anniversary and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s birth anniversary. Thorat said a state cabinet sub-committee will be formed to oppose the laws. “The central government brought the law despite objection from the entire opposition,” he said while claiming that the laws are a ploy to break the system of agriculture produce market committee (APMCs) started by the late Yashwantrao Chavan. The satyagraha started with a prayer in front of Bapu Kuti. “We are staging a statewide agitation following the path of satyagraha shown to us by Mahatma Gandhi,” said Thorat. Congress in-charge HK Patil, women and child development minister Yashomati Thakur, relief and rehabilitation minister Vijay Wadettiwar, energy minister Nitin Raut, youth wing’s Satyajit Tambe, MLA Ranjit Kamble and ex-MLA Amar Kale along with other Congress workers joined the agitation. Thorat said the laws have no provision for redressing farmers’ grievances. “The farmer can’t even seek justice from sub divisional officer. These laws will only help corporates or big traders. Corporates will lure farmers by initially offering more rate than the MSP but later exploit farmers. The central government is acting for corporates only,” he said. Wadettiwar said the centre is imposing these black laws on the farmers. “Congress will not remain silent until the laws are repealed,” he said.

The Times of India

2020-11-01

Nagpur