Congress on 'rajdharma' as farmers resume talks

Congress leader Deepender Hooda urged the Central Government to accept the farmers' demand and withdraw the farm laws. He also opined that the incident in Rewari is not surprising as the police in Haryana had earlier attacked the farmers with tear gas, water cannons and had even lathi-charged them.

New Delhi: As Union Government's meeting with farmers got underway, the Congress party, on Monday, reminded the Central government to abide by its 'Rajdharma' and asked to abandon its "stubbornness" over the farm laws.

Congress leader Deepender Hooda urged the Central Government to accept the farmers' demand, withdraw the three farm bills or change the policy after reaching a consensus with the farmers.

While speaking to ETV Bharat, he said, "Protest is stretched along 17 km at Tikri Border, 25 km at Singhu border and still the number of farmers is increasing day by day at the protesting sites. Many of them have even died. In such a situation, the Center should understand the ground situation and be sympathetic towards the farmers," he further added.

Seeking to mount pressure on the Government, farmers unions had warned that they would intensify their protests and would enter the national capital on January 26 with tractor trolleys if their demands are not be met. "I hope that it won't happen," said Hooda.

On Sunday, the Haryana police fired tear gas shells on a group of farmers, mostly from Rajasthan, to stop them from moving towards Delhi. The incident took place in Rewari district.

The Congress leader from Haryana opined, "Haryana Government has already proven itself as an anti-farmer government. Farmers wanted to lead a peaceful protest at Ramleela maidan but Haryana Government used water cannons, tear gas shells against them. The state police even lathi-charged at them. So, whatever happened in Rewari yesterday was not surprising."

Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also attacked the Central Government over this incident, by tweeting, "On one side, the government calls farmers for talks, while on other hand, in this bitter cold, they are throwing tear gas shells at them. Due to this stubborn and cruel behaviour, about 60 farmers have died so far. How can farmers trust this cruel government?"