New Delhi: Former Congress president Rahul Gandhi led the party's protest against the three farm laws in the national capital on Friday, and alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has no respect for farmers.
Congress observed 'Kisan Adhikar Diwas' on Friday, with all state units organising a march to the Governor's office demanding the repeal of the three contentious agriculture laws. In Delhi, Rahul Gandhi, along with Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, led a demonstration at the Lt. Governor's office at Civil Lines.
The Gandhis later went to meet Punjab Congress MPs and MLAs, who have been sitting on a dharna at Jantar Mantar for over a month.
Addressing the media at Jantar Mantar, Rahul Gandhi said, "These farm laws have been brought to finish off the farmers. Time is being wasted, you are being made to tire out. They think that the farmers do not have strength. They think that the farmers will leave in 10 days, 15 days. Narendra Modi ji has no respect for farmers."
"The Prime Minister thinks that the 3-4 industrialists run the country. It is very superficial thinking. Farmers and labourers run the country. Youth runs the country," he added.
Read: Farmers' Stir: Meet ends inconclusively, next round of talks on Jan 19
Gandhi also asserted that Congress stands in solidarity with the farmers, and the party's fight will continue till the Central Government withdraws the three laws. "Farmers will not bow down, but now it is time when Central Government has to," the Congress leader said.
When asked about the deaths of farmers, Rahul replied that PM Modi was not concerned about the number of farmers who lost their lives during the protests.
The Congress leader reiterated his claim that the government was being run according to the industrialists. "The remote control of this government is in someone else's hand. I feel pity for Modi ji. He is trapped. He is just the prime minister for namesake."
However, soon after the visit of Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi at Jantar Mantar, Delhi Police detained the Punjab Congress MPs and MLAs from the protest site. Further, all their belongings were also taken away.
The Congress launched an online campaign "Speak Up for Farmers", today, as part of which people shared their views on the farmers' protest and farm laws.
