Farmers Movement Archive

Repeal of farm laws: A victory for democracy, says Arvind Kejriwal

NEW DELHI: Chief minister Arvind Kejriwal on Friday described the Centre’s decision to withdraw the three farm laws as a victory for democracy. He said the farmers were called terrorists, Khalistanis and anti-nationals, and all sorts of attempts were made to break their spirit, but they didn’t give up and fought like freedom fighters. A timely withdrawal of these laws could have saved the lives of 700 farmers martyred during the struggle, Kejriwal said at a press conference. “This day will be written with golden letters in the chronicles of Indian history, just like August 15 and January 26. The Centre had to finally bow in front of the farmers' tireless struggle and withdraw all the black laws. It is not only the victory of our farmers, but also of democracy,” the CM said. He said the farmers had proved that in a democracy, a government would always have to listen to the people. “Only and only the will of the people will rule. Be it any party or leader, your arrogance will not work in front of the public,” Kejriwal said. The AAP government had stood with the farmers right from the beginning, the CM said, adding that it had arranged for water, toilet and other facilities for the protesters when they arrived on Delhi borders. Kejriwal, meanwhile, postponed his visit to Punjab by two days to November 22 where AAP would celebrate the “victory”. The CM claimed that the “system” did its best to try and break the movement, but it could not succeed. “The water cannons dried up in front of the courage of the farmers. The laathis of the government were broken. All their tricks fell flat,” Kejriwal said. He said the death of over 700 farmers engaged in the movement pained him. “These deaths could have been avoided if the laws were rolled back earlier. Our brothers and sisters did not need to suffer in the cold, rain and the sun, sitting on the roads for so many months. I salute these martyrs, bow to their families,” Kejriwal said. The CM said that the country would never forget the sacrifices the farmers had made. “The victory of the farmers is a lesson for the children and the youth of our country that if we fight peacefully with the right intention, then success will be achieved, no matter how tough the fight,” he added. AAP MLAs, councillors, officebearers and workers joined the protesting farmers on the Singhu border to congratulate them.

The Times of India

2021-11-20

Delhi