2 days Ago By TOI News Desk
Arvind Kejriwal (Agencies photo) NEW DELHI: AAP supremo and former Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday held the BJP responsible for ongoing indefinite fast by farmers in Punjab over set of demands, including legal guarantee on MSP, accusing the Centre of reneging on past promises. He also claimed that the BJP-led central government is planning to implement the revoked farm laws "through the backdoor". In a post on X, former Delhi CM said the BJP would be responsible "if something happens" to the protesting farmers.
Farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal has been on an indefinite fast since November 26, demanding a legal guarantee on Minimum Support Price (MSP) for crops and other farmer-related concerns. Refusing medical assistance, Dallewal's health has a become a major concern. Kejriwal accused the Central government of attempting to reintroduce the controversial 2020 farm laws under the guise of the "National Policy Framework on Agricultural Marketing," calling it a backdoor move.
The draft policy has reportedly been sent to state governments for feedback. Three central farm laws were passed in 2020 but was later revoked by the Union government, after a yearlong protest by farmers. "Why do the BJP have such arrogance that it does not even talk to anyone," Kejriwal asked.
"May God keep the farmers who are on an indefinite protest safe, but if something happens to them, the BJP will be responsible for it," he said in his post in Hindi. The AAP-led Punjab government has criticised the draft policy as a disguised revival of the repealed farm laws, which were withdrawn after yearlong protests in 2021. Punjab advocate general Gurminder Singh told the Supreme Court that efforts are under way to persuade Dallewal to accept medical aid without ending his fast.
Meanwhile, the Supreme Court reprimanded the Punjab government on Thursday for not adhering to its directive to hospitalise Dallewal. It also cautioned against creating a misleading narrative that the government is attempting to force the farmer leader to break his fast. Earlier on Wednesday, Agriculture minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, when asked about holding talks with protesting farmers, stated that the government would follow Supreme Court instructions on resolving the protest.
Farmers, under the banners of the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (non-political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha, have been camping at the Khanauri and Shambhu border points between Punjab and Haryana since February 13. Their march to Delhi was halted by security forces, leading to the current standoff. Don't miss the yearly horoscope 2025 and Chinese horoscope 2025 for Rat , Ox , Tiger , Rabbit , Dragon , Snake , Horse , Goat , Monkey , Rooster , Dog , and Pig zodiac signs.
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