Shiv Sena Mouthpiece Calls Repeal Of Farm Laws As 'Defeat Of Arrogance Of Power'

In his address to the nation on November 19, the Prime Minister revealed the government's intention to abolish three farm rules that had been the subject of farmer protests over the previous year.

New Delhi: "The declaration of abolishing the three agricultural regulations highlights the strength of the ordinary man in the country," Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray said after Prime Minister Narendra Modi's announcement on scrapping of the three agrarian laws.

On November 20, the Shiv Sena called the Centre's plan to repeal the three contentious agricultural legislation a "defeat of arrogance of power," claiming that the decision was taken as BJP was fearful of a reaction in the upcoming Assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh and Punjab.

According to an editorial in the Shiv Sena party publication Saamana, Prime Minister Narendra Modi's decision to repeal the legislation is a triumph for farmers' unity, and that this "wisdom" is the outcome of the BJP's defeat in by-polls in 13 states lately.

In his address to the nation on November 19, the Prime Minister revealed the government's intention to abolish three farm rules that had been the subject of farmer protests over the previous year.

"The Union government suppressed the voice of the opposition and got the three farm bills passed in Parliament. The Centre completely ignored the farmers' protests. The supply of water and electricity was snapped at the protest site. During their struggle, the farmers were even labelled as Khalistanis, Pakistanis and terrorists," the Shiv Sena was quoted by PTI in its report.

Despite this, the farmers have remained steadfast in their demand for the repeal of legislation that benefit the private sector and capitalists. 550 farmers died as a result of the demonstrations. According to the report, a Union Minister's son crushed farmers beneath his truck in Lakhimpur Kheri, yet Prime Minister Narendra Modi did not even condone their deaths.

"But after realising that the farmers won't end their protest and sensing BJP's defeat in Uttar Pradesh and Punjab, the Modi government decided to repeal the laws. This is a victory of the farmers' unity," it further said.

Since November last year, farmers mostly from Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh have been demanding that the Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2020, Farmers’ (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Act, 2020, and the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act, 2020, be rolled back and a new law made to guarantee minimum support price for crops.

(With inputs from PTI)