New Delhi: As tensions mount on the outskirts of Delhi in anticipation of the ‘Delhi Chalo’ march by farmers, Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Sunday vehemently criticised the BJP government for handling the situation. In a scathing attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Priyanka condemned the barricading and reported laying of nails on roads to deter farmers from entering the national capital.
The Congress general secretary questioned why the tillers were being treated in this manner, as she shared a purported video of nails laid on roads and multiple barricades put up to stop farmers from marching into the national capital on ‘X’. Priyanka Gandhi posted in hindi, saying, “Is laying thorns-nails in the path of farmers ‘amritkaal’ or ‘anyaykaal’? This insensitive and anti-farmer attitude had cost the lives of 750 farmers. Working against farmers and not even allowing them to raise their voice – what kind of government does this”.
किसानों के रास्ते में कील-काँटे बिछाना अमृतकाल है या अन्यायकाल?
इसी असंवेदनशील एवं किसान विरोधी रवैये ने 750 किसानों की जान ली थी। किसानों के खिलाफ काम करना, फिर उनको आवाज भी न उठाने देना – कैसी सरकार का लक्षण है?
किसानों से किया वादा पूरा नहीं किया- न MSP का कानून बनाया, न… pic.twitter.com/xdTUVQr3yz
— Priyanka Gandhi Vadra (@priyankagandhi) February 11, 2024
Priyanka’s criticism extended to the government’s failure to fulfill promises made to farmers, including the enactment of a law guaranteeing Minimum Support Price (MSP) for their produce and the doubling of farmers’ incomes.
Security Beefed Up Ahead Of Farmers’ March
With a significant number of farmers expected to converge on Delhi from Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, and Punjab, from about 200 farm unions, authorities are preparing for potential disruptions. The order issued by Deputy Commissioner of Police (northeast) Joy Tirkey underscored concerns about the determination of farmers, recalling their adamant stance during past protests and the potential for mobilisation from various districts. He said, “There is a possibility of mobilisation/activities of farmers/supporters from their respective districts to Delhi along with Tractor/Trolleys/Arms”, reported PTI.
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A precautionary order of section 144 is required to be issued to save lives and property in the area, avoid any untoward incident, and maintain law and order, the communication said. Several farmer associations, mostly from Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Punjab, have called for the march on February 13 to demand a law guaranteeing Minimum Support Price for their produce, one of the conditions they had set when they agreed to withdraw their agitation in 2021, as per PTI.
