Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Friday asked the Central Government to compensate families of farmers who lost their lives during the agitation against the three farm laws and provide a guarantee for the Minimum Support Price (MSP). He also demanded that the Government withdraw cases against farmers and immediately sack Union Minister Ajay Mishra.
In a single day session, Kejriwal referred to the Lakhimpur Kheri violence and questioned the BJP ruled Central Government over the delay in sacking Mishra whose son has been arrested for his alleged role in the violence that left nine people dead. “The Lakhimpur incident is very painful… Why cannot the Centre remove him? I do not know what their compulsion is, but the entire country wants that he (Mishra) should be removed.”
Congratulating the farmers, Kejriwal said that the farmers’ Satyagraha has shown that truth and strong will power will always win against injustice.
The Delhi Assembly also passed the resolution tabled by the Development Minister Gopal Rai on the victory of the farmers’ struggle, “farmers were forced to a point where they had to protest against the elected Government of their own country for a whole year. Never thought that farmers in independent India would be subjected to filthy abuses like anti-national, Khalistani, agents of China-Pakistan. If all the farmers of our country are anti-nationals, then what are the people who are hurling abuses at them? This is the victory of democracy and it has increased people’s faith in democracy, “ he added, “ the Assembly fully supports the pending demands of farmers including MSP, withdrawing all false cases against farmers.”
Addressing the special session, Kejriwal said, “Exactly one year ago, the Kisan Andolan started after the Centre passed the three _’Kaale Kanoon’_ or black farm laws. They did not bother to ask or consult the farmers even once about this decision that ended up wreaking havoc all over the country because of their arrogance. Because of the fact that they have a majority in the Lok Sabha and lead the Rajya Sabha, they have been blinded by this sense of arrogance that they can get away with their tyranny. When the farmers came to Delhi they thought that the farmers would come, shout on the streets for a few days, get tired and go back. Last year on November 26th, this movement started on the borders of Delhi. It has been one whole year now and this movement has turned out to be successful.”
Kejriwal mentioned that women from Punjab participated in the protest saying,”I want to especially recognise the contribution of the farmers of Punjab in this movement. Specifically, how they lead everyone towards a common cause. I salute the courage of the women of Punjab who walked in unison braving the harsh weather and overcoming all hurdles. When we used to see them we could only think of how we’d need heaters and blankets to protect us from the winters of Delhi but all that the farmers needed was sheer will and courage. The farmers fought through tough summers, rains and even COVID and dengue. It is because of such determination that their demands were met.”
