Farmers Movement Archive

Varun writes to PM, asks for nod to farmers’ MSP demand, action against Kheri accused

Bareilly: BJP MP Varun Gandhi addressed an open letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday and said many "innocent lives" could have been saved had the government repealed the contentious farm laws earlier. In the letter, which he shared on social media, Varun requested the PM to accept the farmers' demand of making the minimum support price (MSP) a legal right and sought action against Union minister of state Ajay Mishra in connection with the Lakhimpur Kheri case. Varun also asked the government to quash several "politically motivated" FIRs against farmers and demanded Rs 1 crore in compensation for the kin of over "700 farmers who died during the movement." He added that the farmers' protests would not stop until these demands are met. The MP has been a known critic of farm laws. He had earlier written to the UP chief minister Yogi Adityanath, asking him to take appropriate steps to help improve the condition of farmers. Varun said, “More than 700 of our farmer brothers and sisters have been martyred in this movement as they peacefully protested in extremely difficult and hostile conditions. It is my humble request to you that while expressing condolences...a compensation of Rs 1 crore each must be announced for them.” The MP stressed on the need to "legally bind" the assurance on MSP so that small farmers are ensured adequate remuneration for their crops. He said failure to meet the demand would result in "widespread anger". He called the October 3 violence in Lakhimpur Kheri, which resulted in the death of eight people, including four farmers and a journalist, a "blemish on democracy" and the result of senior leaders "giving provocative statements against agitating farmers". Varun demanded strict action and an inquiry against MoS Mishra, whose son, Ashish, is the key accused in the case. Congress MP from Thiruvananthapuram, Shashi Tharoor, shared Varun's post, adding, “Good to see Varun Gandhi emulating his grandfather in challenging the PM of his own party."

The Times of India

2021-11-21

Bareilly