Republic Day Clash: 16 Opposition Parties To Boycott President's Address; Seek Probe Into Tractor Rally Violence | See List

The parties have released a joint statement which states that the three contentious farm laws imposed by the BJP government at the Centre is a threat to the Indian agriculture, which sustains over 60 per cent of the population.

Farmers' Protest: Leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad on Thursday said that sixteen political parties have decided to boycott President Ram Nath Kovind’s address to a joint Parliament session on the issue of farm laws. He said that the parties have asked for probe into Centre's role in violence on Republic Day in Delhi.

The parties have released a joint statement which states that the three contentious farm laws imposed by the BJP government at the Centre is a threat to the Indian agriculture, which sustains over 60 per cent of the population.

The joint statement reads, “India's farmers have been collectively fighting against the three farm laws, arbitrarily imposed by the BJP government that threatens the future of the Indian Agriculture which sustains over 60 per cent of India's population and the livelihood of crores of farmers, sharecroppers and farm labour.”

It said that over 155 farmers have lost their lives as they have been agitating at the borders braving the cold weather. They have alleged that despite a long time of protests, the government has remained unmoved and has responded with suppressive measures and force like water cannons, tear gas and lathi-charges.

Farmers have been protesting over two months now demanding total repeal of the three agrarian laws brought by the Centre. The protesters had sought permission to stage a peaceful tractor rally on January 26, however, the protest went violent and several protesters went rampaging to the Red Fort and installed their flag at its dome.

The parties condemned the incident which took place on January 26, 2021. “Unfortunately, there were a few acts of violence on January 26, 2021 in the National Capital of Delhi which was condemned universally and unequivocally,” the statement said, at the same time expressing sadness over the injuries sustained by cops.

The statement further said that an impartial probe is required as they believe it would reveal the Centre’s “nefarious” role in orchestrating the incidents.

 They have expressed apprehensions that if not repealed, these Laws will effectively disturb the National Food Security that rests upon MSP, government procurement and Public Distribution System.

List of opposition parties to boycott President’s address:

• Congress
• Nationalist Congress Party (NCP)
• CPI(M)
• CPI
• RSP
• Kerala Congress-M
• Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD)
• All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF)
• DMK
• Jammu Kashmir National Conference (JKNC)
• Trinamool Congress (TMC)
• Indian Union Muslim League (IUML)
• Samajwadi Party
• Shiv Sena
• MDMK
• Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)