Farmers Movement Archive

Maharashtra: Congress to gherao Raj Bhavan on Saturday against farm laws

MUMBAI: Congress activists led by revenue minister and state president Balasaheb Thorat will gherao Raj Bhavan on January 16 to protest against the new farm laws and unprecedented hike in prices of petroleum products. Thorat said while farmers from more than a dozen states have launched an indefinite strike on the borders of the national capital, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had still refused to reconsider the anti-farmer laws enacted last year. “Farmers are on strike for 40 days, while 60 farmers died in the agitation. Despite such a crucial situation, Modi has not taken any steps for repealing the anti-farmer legislations. It is the most insensitive government at the Centre,’’ Thorat said. To support the agitating farmers in New Delhi, Congress workers in the state will reach Mumbai on January 16 and gherao Raj Bhavan. “The new laws are against farmers and have been enacted for the benefit of some leading industrialists. Congress will support the agitating farmers at any cost,’’ Thorat said. On one hand Modi is determined to destroy the farming community, while on the other hand, following a massive hike in prices of petroleum products the lives of common people had become miserable. “The hike in petroleum product prices is highest in 73 years. In May 2014, excise duty on petrol was Rs9.2, and in last six years, Modi has increased it to Rs 32.98, which comes to 258%, while for diesel, it has increased by 820%,’’ Thorat said.

The Times of India

2021-01-12

Mumbai