New Delhi: With the Parliament reaching a consensus to hold a discussion over the farmers' protest, the Government on Wednesday, in a breakthrough in its talks with the opposition, agreed to hold a discussion over the issue.
The Opposition, meanwhile, has once again demanded the repeal of three contentious farm laws.
Senior Congress leader PL Punia in conversation with ETV Bharat The discussion in Parliament will be held for 15 hours, and has already begun in the Rajya Sabha, where the Question Hour has been suspended for two days.
Speaking to ETV Bharat, senior Congress leader PL Punia said, "Today, during the vote of thanks, the Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha, Ghulam Nabi Azad mentioned that laws were taken back even during the British rule. I believe that the Government should repeal these three farm laws without discussion. From the very first day, farm unions are making this demand, so that Government listens to them and takes back the laws."
Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha, Ghulam Nabi Azad, during his address, asked the Government to withdraw the three farm laws without making it a prestige issue.
He also mentioned about the violence in the national capital on January 26, adding that the disrespect to the national flag cannot be tolerated.
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Today, the Supreme Court of India refused to entertain a clutch of petitions demanding an investigation into the violence during farmers' tractor rally, adding that the Government is inquiring into the matter.
Asked about the apex court's move, Punia said: "It was very unfortunate that some farmers hoisted a religious flag at the Red Fort and created violence in Delhi, on the occasion of Republic Day. Almost all the political parties have condemned the incident. Those who are responsible for the violence should be identified and strict action must be taken against them."
"However, it is wrong to send notice to the farmer leaders who have no role in inciting violence. These notices should be taken back. Punish those who are responsible," he added.
Earlier, the farmer unions had announced that they organise a countrywide 'Chakka Jam' on February 6 when they would block the national and state highways for three hours. While the police has stepped up barricading and added cemented spikes on the road over the past few days, it has also affected water supply as well as sanitation at the protest sites.
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"Farmers had already announced that they will do a nationwide chakka jam on February 6 for three hours. In view of this, Delhi Police has dug up roads, cemented iron grills and spikes, and laid out layers of barricades to place obstacles in the route of farmers. I think this has never been done even on the India-Pakistan border," the Congress leader said.
"Farmers have raised objections over the matter. Due to these obstacles, their water supply has been affected, their washrooms are not accessible. When the farmers are ready for discussions, then the Government should not harass them like this," Punia asserted.
