The Aryavarth Express
Agency (New Delhi): In response to the ongoing farmers’ ‘Delhi Chalo’ march, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has declared that the party, if elected to power, will ensure a legal guarantee of Minimum Support Price (MSP) for every farmer in accordance with the Swaminathan Commission. This announcement was made amidst the farmers’ movement towards the National Capital to assert their demands.
In his statement, Rahul Gandhi emphasized that the Congress party’s decision to legally guarantee MSP on crops as per the Swaminathan Commission is a historic step. He believes this move will transform the lives of 15 crore farmer families by securing their prosperity, marking it as Congress’s first guarantee on the path of justice.
Congress National President Mallikarjun Kharge criticized the Central government, referring to it as the “dictatorial Modi government” and accusing it of attempting to suppress the farmers’ voices. Kharge recalled instances where farmers were labeled as “agitators” and “parasites” and highlighted the government’s failure to fulfill promises such as doubling farmers’ income by 2022, implementing the Swaminathan report’s recommendations on Input Cost + 50 per cent MSP, and providing legal status to MSP.
Kharge also asserted the party’s full support for the farmers’ movement and its readiness to voice the concerns of 62 crore farmers, emphasizing their stand for “Kisan Nyay” in Ambikapur, Chhattisgarh.
Meanwhile, the Haryana police detained several protesting farmers as they marched towards Delhi. The farmers tried to break through multi-layered barricades, prompting police to use tear gas and water cannons for dispersion. The current protest, led by farmer union leaders Jagjeet Singh Dallewal and Sarwan Singh Pandher of Sanyukt Kisan Morcha and Punjab Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee, stems from unfulfilled promises made by the Centre after the 2021 protest.
The farmers are demanding the enactment of a law guaranteeing MSP for all crops as recommended by the Swaminathan Commission, a complete debt waiver, pension schemes for farmers and farm laborers, the scrapping of the Electricity Amendment Bill 2020, and the reintroduction of the Land Acquisition Act of 2013 with provisions for farmers’ consent and adequate compensation.