In the realm of political discourse, Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge asserted on Monday that the governing force under Narendra Modi showcases a distinct anti-farmer stance, portraying the tillers of the land as adversaries for asserting their entitlements.
This statement follows a rallying cry from agricultural leaders Sarwan Singh Pandher and Jagjit Singh Dallewal, urging farmers nationwide to converge on Delhi by March 6, instigating a protest. Furthermore, they issued a nationwide ‘rail roko’ directive scheduled for March 10, rallying for various concessions, including a legally assured minimum support price (MSP) for crops and the absolution of agricultural debts.
Undeterred, they declared their steadfast commitment to amplifying their ongoing demonstration at established protest hubs until the government accedes to their stipulations.
Expressing his sentiments in Hindi on platform X, Kharge alleged that the Modi administration consistently prioritizes the welfare of its “select crony capitalist allies,” detrimentally affecting the farmers’ interests.
“When the agrarian provider, pivotal in sustaining the nation, aspires to yield a bountiful harvest for export, the Modi administration imposes bans on essential exports like wheat, rice, sugar, onions, pulses, and more,” he contended.
Kharge underscored that this practice has been a recurring theme throughout the BJP’s tenure, resulting in a mere 64% increase in agricultural exports, a stark contrast to the 153% surge during the Congress-UPA era.
Alleging that the promises of MSP guarantees and income doubling by the Modi government were deceptive, Kharge accused the BJP of making unwarranted efforts to oppress the 62 crore farmers in the country.
“As the farmers assert their rightful demands, the Modi government adopts a stance akin to viewing them as adversaries,” Kharge asserted. The protesting farmers persist at the Shambhu and Khanauri border junctures between Punjab and Haryana, their “Delhi Chalo” march thwarted by security forces.
Commencing their march on February 13, clashes ensued as security forces obstructed their progress. The farmers’ demands extend beyond MSP assurances to the implementation of the Swaminathan Commission’s recommendations, provision of pensions for farmers and laborers, a freeze on electricity tariff hikes, withdrawal of legal charges, and justice for victims of the 2021 Lakhimpur Kheri violence in Uttar Pradesh. They also seek the reinstatement of the Land Acquisition Act, 2013, and compensation for families of farmers who perished during the previous agitation in 2020-21.