Congress’s decision to take to the streets comes after the farmer unions and central ministers’ talks on Friday. Congress’s protest will clash with the next round of talks between the Centre and the agitating farmers next Saturday. Congress delegations in every State and Union Territory will also surround the Raj Bhawan and protest, demanding the repeal of the farm laws and mark the day as KisanAdhikarDiwas.
Announcing a nationwide protest, AICC chief spokesman RandeepSurjewalasaid that the Congress is duty-bound to stand with the farmers of the country.
He also said that the Narendra Modi government is trying to frustrate and tire out the agitating farmers as part of a conspiracy, by giving representatives of farmer unions a new date for discussions after every round of talks. He alleged that Narendra Modi is directly responsible for these deaths.
Congress’s key frontal organization, the Indian Youth Congress (IYC), has also launched a nationwide program – EkMuthiMittiShaheedoKeNaam – to pay tribute to the martyrdom of over 60 farmers who have so far lost their lives during the protests. IYC members across the country will organize a string of rallies and demonstrations to highlight the injustice that the three farm laws will inflict upon crores of Indian farmers.
The old party volunteers have plans of visiting villages of the martyred farmers and collect a fistful of soil as a mark of solidarity with the farmers.
Congress planning to cater to the youngsters, who are socially active online by organizing a campaign on social media with *SpeakUpForFarmers* on January 15th.
Party leader’s views: Sonia Gandhi instructed party general secretaries and leaders to discuss future strategy on the farmer protests following which AICC general secretary (organization) K.C. Venugopal held a virtual meeting with party colleagues to discuss the ongoing farmers’ protest.
- Priyanka Gandhi Vadra agreed that though the agitating farmers have been keeping away from politicians it would be good to stand in solidarity with the farmers.
- Rahul Gandhi questioned the intentions of the Government. He alleged that the government was working as per a planned strategy to deliberately stretch talks with protesting farmer unions.
Congress has consistently slammed the Union government over the ‘BLACK’ farm laws. A little earlier, Rahul Gandhi had met president Ram NathKovind to discuss the laws and the issues faced by protesting farmers.
A major concern that is being addressed:-The insensitive farm laws would weaken the minimum support system and mandi systems and leave the farmers at the mercy of big corporates; farmers have been protesting at different borders of Delhi, our national capital for almost a month against the Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2020, the Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Act, 2020, and the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act, 2020.
The ruling party’s claim:-The government has ruled out repealing the laws and asked farmer leaders to hold a discussion on a clause by clause of the laws, as it says that the apprehensions are quite misplaced.
