New Delhi, July 19
The issue of farmers’ agitation against three agricultural reform legislations resonated in the Lok Sabha on Monday with the Congress, the Shiromani Akali Dal, CPM, RLP, DMK and BSP members moving adjournment motions to discuss the matter.
Bathinda MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal moved the motion on the behalf of the Akali Dal. The motion was signed by leaders of the DMK (TR Baalu), BSP, CPM and RLP (Hanuman Beniwal).
Congress MP from Anandpur Sahib Manish Tewari moved the motion too, demanding discussion on the concerns of farmers.
The Shiromani Akali Dal sought an adjournment to the listed business of the Lok Sabha to discuss the serious situation arising out of the “nationwide crisis which has been raging over the enactment of the three farm laws by the House”.
Seeking the adjournment through a motion, in a letter to the Speaker of the Lok Sabha, Harsimrat said these Bills had been “pushed through the House in utter disregard of opposition by the farmers, khet mazdoors and farm traders”.
She demanded that the House include the names of the “martyrs of the farmers’ movement” and pay them tributes during the obituaries.
“They have laid down their lives in a peaceful, democratic movement fighting for the just cause of the farmers and farm labourers,” she said, adding, “This House must acknowledge their martyrdom.”
Harsimrat said the three Farm Acts were “in brazen violation of the spirit of federalism as envisaged by the founding fathers of the Constitution, as agriculture is a state subject”.
In her letter, she pointed to the “massive national outrage against these Bills which have since been signed into laws despite opposition by farmers.
“Hundreds of farmers and farm labourers have lost their lives in this struggle against the Centre. But the Central government has refused to show the sensitivity expected of a responsible and democratically elected government. Never in the history of free India has the country witnessed such outrage against a legislation passed by this august House,” she lamented.
Congress MP Tewari while seeking a discussion on farmers’ agitation said, “In large numbers, farmers have come out against the three acts passed by the Central government which threaten their livelihood. The acts have been opposed on the grounds that they will make the farmers vulnerable to exploitation by the corporate sector. The government has failed to assuage the concerns of the farmers or present any viable alternative to these acts.”
He said there is a palpable fear among the farmers that the Minimum Support Price will be dismantled and role of state governments in Agriculture Produce Marketing Committees will be affected.
“About 300 farmers have died while protesting against the laws,” he said.
AAP MP Bhagwant Mann also moved the adjournment motion demanding suspension of business to discuss farmers’ issue.
Congress MP from Rajya Sabha Partap Bajwa also submitted an adjournment motion to chairman of the House to suspend business for discussions on farmers issue on Tuesday.
