ABP Shikhar Sammelan: Govt Ready To Discuss With Farmers, But Not On Condition To Repeal Laws First, Says Amit Shah

On the concern of farmers on new agri laws, Amit Shah said that the new legislation provides extra provisions and option to farmers and does not take away any rights from them. "Agri laws give extra provisions to farmers and it snatches nothing from them," he said. 

(Image: PTI)

New Delhi: While speaking at ABP Shikhar Sammelan event, Union Home Minister Amit Shah touched upon various issues including the ongoing farmers' protest against the three contentious agri laws passed by the Centre last year. Shah, during his interaction with Sumit Awasthi, once again assured that the new legislation is for the benefit of farmers.

On the concern of farmers on new agri laws, Amit Shah said that the new legislation provides extra provisions and option to farmers and does not take away any rights from them. "Agri laws give extra provisions to farmers and it snatches nothing from them," he said. 

When asked to comment on demands of farmers' leaders to repeal the three laws and further rounds of discussions with the government and farmer leaders, Amit Shah said: "If they (farmers) think there is need to talk, we are ready to discuss. But discussion cannot happen with the condition to repeal the laws first," Shah said. 

When asked if farmers' protest will harm the BJP in Assembly elections, former BJP chief said no it will not and rather claimed that the farmers of the country are happy with the new legislation. 

Shah's remarks at ABP Shikhar Sammelan came on the day when farmer unions called for a nationwide 'rail roko' (railway blockade) agitation for four hours which concluded peacefully without any untoward incident. Meanwhile, after the end of 'rail roko' agitation, SKM, an umbrella body of the farm unions once again pressed on their demand to repeal the legislations and said that "anger among farmers is intensifying" in the country.