Rahul Gandhi pledges backing for farmers; unveils proposal for legal assurance of MSP based on Swaminathan Commission recommendations

In the midst of the ongoing ‘Delhi Chalo’ march by farmers towards the National Capital to assert their demands, Rahul Gandhi, a prominent leader of the Congress party, declared on Tuesday that if the party comes into power, it will enact legislation to guarantee Minimum Support Price (MSP) to all farmers by the recommendations of the Swaminathan Commission.

In a statement on X, Rahul expressed, “Today marks a significant moment for our farmer brethren! The Congress party has committed to legally ensuring MSP for every crop, aligned with the Swaminathan Commission’s recommendations. This initiative will revolutionize the lives of 15 crore farming families, ensuring their prosperity. This represents the Congress party’s primary commitment to justice.”

National President of the Congress, Mallikarjun Kharge, strongly criticized the Central government, accusing the Modi administration of authoritarianism in suppressing farmers’ voices.

“Barbed wire, tear gas deployed from drones, and aggressive measures are being taken. The dictatorial Modi government is attempting to stifle farmers’ voices! Do we recall when farmers were labeled as ‘agitators’ and ‘parasites’? Over the past decade, the Modi government has failed on three promises made to the country’s food providers: doubling farmers’ income by 2022 as per the Swaminathan report, implementing MSP at Input Cost + 50%, and granting legal status to MSP,” he expressed.

“The time has come to amplify the voices of 62 crore farmers. Today, the Congress party will champion ‘Kisan Nyay’ in Ambikapur, Chhattisgarh. We stand in full solidarity with the farmers’ movement. We shall not cower, nor shall we retreat!” he asserted.

Meanwhile, in Haryana, police detained numerous protesting farmers as they marched towards Delhi on Tuesday.

The protestors were witnessed attempting to breach multi-layered barricades using tractors and makeshift weapons. Visuals from the border depicted farmers fleeing towards nearby fields as police dispersed the protestors using tear gas and water cannons.

The ongoing protest has been organized by the Sanyukt Kisan Morcha and Punjab Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee, spearheaded by farmer union leaders Jagjeet Singh Dallewal and Sarwan Singh Pandher.

According to the protesting farmers, the government pledged improved crop prices, prompting the conclusion of the 2021 protest. Their demands include the enactment of a law guaranteeing MSP for all crops, as recommended by the Swaminathan Commission report. They also seek complete debt forgiveness and a pension scheme for farmers and farm laborers.

Furthermore, the farmers have called for the withdrawal of the Electricity Amendment Bill 2020 and the reintroduction of the Land Acquisition Act of 2013, ensuring farmers’ consent and compensation at four times the collector rate.