Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday after taking out a tractor rally in his constituency in support of the protesting farmers said that agriculture is the only business that belongs to “Bharat Mata” and urged the people to put pressure on the BJP-led government to take back the three farm laws. He also dissected the farm laws.
Addressing a gathering of farmers in Kerala's Wayanad, his Lok Sabha constituency, Gandhi described how the three laws will turn harmful to the country's agriculture sector.
"The first law says that the biggest businesses in the country and outside can buy the farmers produce anywhere and any amount. This law will destroy the concept of mandis and farmers' markets. The second law says that the biggest businesses in the country can store as much grain, fruits and vegetables as they want, for as long as they want. This is a direct attack on Essential Commodities Act, and has been designed to ensure farmers can't negotiate for the price," Gandhi said.
Explaining flaws in the 3rd law, he said, "Third law is the most fantastic of them all. It says that if the farmer has a dispute about the price of what he is selling, he cannot go to court. It takes away the legal rights of the farmers.”
Reiterating that Congress stands in support of the farmers, Rahul stated that his party will help the farmers in their fight and ensure the Centre rolls back these laws. He also added that with these laws, the farming sector will go into the hands of the corporates.
Gandhi also held a tractor rally from Thrikkaipetta to Muttil to express solidarity with the protesting farmers.
He further added that the entire world can see the difficulties faced by the farmers in India but the government sitting in Delhi is unable to understand their pain.
"We have pop stars who are commenting on the situation of Indian farmers but the Indian government is not interested. They are not going to take back three laws unless they are forced," the Wayanad MP said.
Alleging that these laws are designed in a way that they will destroy the agriculture system in the country, Gandhi said that it will give the entire business to 2 to 3 friends of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Agriculture is the largest business in India that has a worth of Rs 40 lakh crore and is owned by millions and millions of Indians, Gandhi stated adding that "agriculture is the only business that belongs to Bharat Mata" and a few people want to own this business.
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