Farmers Movement Archive

Repeal laws, apologise to farmers, Congress tells PM Modi

NEW DELHI: Flagging the Supreme Court’s “anguish” over the failure of government in finding a solution to the farmers’ protest, Congress Monday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi should immediately repeal the three “black farm laws” and apologise to the “64 crore annadata”. AICC spokesman Randeep Surjewala said, “Never in last 73 years has a government been exposed in this fashion for its arrogance, intemperate behaviour and insensitivity towards the farmers. PM Modi should realise that the only thing acceptable to farmers is the immediate repeal of the three black laws.” On the apex court’s suggestion of forming a committee on farm laws, the spokesman said, “We respect the SC and its concern for farmers. But the repeal of law lies at the doorsteps of the government and not the SC... the government has already made a committee headed by home minister Amit Shah. The issue is not of committee but of the insincerity of Modi government. The farmers are not fighting a legal issue but are fighting a struggle for livelihood and existence.” Jairam Ramesh picked on the court’s reference to the government’s “ego” to mock the PM, “It is about ME. My Ego”. Surjewala, Haryana state chief Kumari Selja and AICC state incharge Vivek Bansal told reporters that the SC should lodge a case against PM Modi, Shah as also chief minsters Yogi Adityanath and Manohar Lal Khattar for digging up roads to prevent the farmers from coming to the capital. When suggested that there were concerns about possible disturbance, Surjewala said if farmers had been allowed to sit on dharna at Jantar Mantar or Ramlila Maidan, there would have been no such fears. “If farmers want to come to the capital and protest in a Gandhian fashion, they have the democratic right to do so and the SC will support it,” Surjewala said. Selja lashed out at CM Khattar for blaming the Congress for protests. “I urge all MLAs supporting the Haryana government to withdraw support in public interest,” she said. tnn

The Times of India

2021-01-12

India