AAP Chief Arvind Kejriwal has raised alarm over the Centre’s alleged attempts to implement the farm laws that were revoked in 2021, claiming the government is trying to bring them back covertly under the guise of a new “policy.” In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Kejriwal accused the BJP of trying to enforce the controversial laws through the “backdoor” by introducing a new “National Policy Framework on Agricultural Marketing” and soliciting feedback from states.
The protest, which has been ongoing for over a month, has seen farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal fasting indefinitely, demanding legal guarantees for the Minimum Support Price (MSP) and other farmer-friendly reforms. Dallewal has refused medical assistance, further escalating the situation.
Kejriwal criticized the BJP for not engaging in dialogue with the protesting farmers in Punjab, particularly during this critical phase of Dallewal’s fast. He expressed concerns about the safety of the farmers, emphasizing that any harm to them would be the responsibility of the BJP-led government.
In his post, Kejriwal questioned the BJP’s “arrogance” in not addressing the farmers’ concerns, despite having agreed to some of their demands three years ago. He expressed deep concern about the lack of communication and efforts to resolve the issue. “Why does the BJP have such arrogance that they don’t even talk to anyone?” Kejriwal asked.
In response, Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan indicated that the government would act according to the Supreme Court’s guidance regarding the farmers’ protest. The Supreme Court, which is currently hearing a matter related to the protest, recently reprimanded the Punjab government for not taking appropriate steps to address the situation. The court specifically pointed out that officials and some farmer leaders were creating a false impression that efforts were being made to break Dallewal’s fast.
Dallewal’s indefinite fast, which began on November 26 at the Khanauri border, has become a focal point of the farmers’ ongoing agitation, demanding legal safeguards for MSP and the withdrawal of the contentious farm laws. Since February 13, farmers from various banners, including Samyukta Kisan Morcha and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha, have been protesting at the Shambhu and Khanauri border points after security forces halted their march to Delhi.
As the protest continues, tensions rise, and all eyes are on how the Centre and the Punjab government will respond to the growing unrest.
