Punjab Cong chief demands winter session of Parliament to repeal farm laws

Amid the ongoing farmers' protest, Punjab Congress president Sunil Jakhar has asked the BJP-led central government to call winter session of the Parliament to discuss the matter afresh and repeal the new farm laws. He said the government should shed its ego and call for a Parliament session.

New Delhi: Punjab Congress president Sunil Jakhar reiterated his party's demand to call the winter session of the Parliament to discuss the matter afresh and repeal the new farm laws.

Speaking to ETV Bharat, Jakhar said the Modi government at the centre is adamant to 'destroy' the federal structure of the country.

"On the one side, the PM laid the foundation stone for the new Parliament building whereas, on the other side, he is not willing to call the winter session. Isn't he destroying the democracy? he asked.

He said the Parliament is a temple of democracy for debate, discussion, questions and exchange of ideas. If the government only has to indulge in monologue and no dialogue then they can opt for All India Radio for 'Mann Ki Baat.'

Jakhar also said the government should shed its ego and call for a Parliament session to discuss the issue of the agitating farmers.

The Prime Minister should go to the protest site and look into the eyes of farmers sitting in cold and protesting for their rights, he added.

When asked about the BJP's claim that "anti-social elements" and Maoist element have hijacked the agitation, Jakhar said it has been established standard operating system of RSS to label people as anti-nationals or Maoists.

"BJP leaders need to understand that RSS or Modi is not India and they should listen to people. Agriculture for BJP is just trade but for a farmer, it is a way of living. This government is operating for corporates. If they can claim that demonetisation was good for the economy then it is normal for them to claim farm laws as good for agriculture," he added.

It is pertinent to mention here that farmers had rejected the government's proposal over the farm laws and called for a nationwide sit-in protest on December 14.

The protest against the farm laws has been going on since November 26. The central government has held five rounds of talks with the farmer leaders, but no breakthrough has been achieved yet.