Opposition parties to boycott the President’s address to Parliament
New Delhi: he Congress party & 15 other Opposition parties have decided to boycott the President’s address to Parliament on 29th Jan 2021 in solidarity with the farmers of India.
In a Joint Statement, issued by Leaders of Opposition Parties have said that India’s farmers have been collectively fighting against the three farm Laws arbitrarily imposed by the BJP Government that threaten the future of Indian Agriculture which sustains over 60% of India’s population and the livelihood of crores of farmers, sharecroppers and farm labour.
Opposition Party leaders said that lakhs of farmers have been agitating at the gates of National Capital of Delhi braving biting cold and heavy rain for the last 64 days for their rights and justice. Over 155 farmers have lost their lives. The Government remains unmoved and has responded with water cannons, tear gas and lathi charges. Every effort has been made, to discredit a legitimate mass movement through government sponsored disinformation campaign.
In the joint statement, opposition also said that The protest and the agitation have been largely peaceful. Unfortunately, there were few acts of violence on January 26, 2021 in the National Capital of Delhi which was condemned universally and unequivocally. We also express our sadness over the injuries sustained by Delhi Police personnel while handling the difficult situation. But, we believe that an impartial investigation will reveal the Central Government’s nefarious role in orchestrating those events.
Opposition leaders also added that the three Farm Laws, are an assault on the rights of the States and violate the federal spirit of the Constitution. If not repealed, these Laws will effectively dismantle the edifice of National Food Security that rests upon — MSP, government procurement and Public Distribution System (PDS). The farm bills were brought without any consultations with States and Farmer Unions and lacked national consensus.
Opposition blamed Center that Parliamentary scrutiny was bypassed and the Laws were pushed through muzzling the Opposition, in brazen violation of Parliamentary rules, Practices and conventions. The very constitutional validity of these Laws remains in question.
Opposition also said that Prime Minister and the BJP Government remain arrogant, adamant and undemocratic in their response. Shocked by this insensitivity of the Government, we, the following opposition political parties, reaffirming the collective demand for the repeal of the Anti Farmer Laws and in solidarity with the Indian Farmers, have decided to boycott the parliament session of both the houses on 29 January.
