Extending support to the Kisan Mukti March, organised under the banner of the All India Kisan Sangharsh Coordination Committee (AIKSCC), a platform of 200 farmers’ groups, Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Friday said that farmers are not seeking any favours but only demanding their rights.
“The country is facing two issues today -unemployment and the farm crisis. In the last four years, the Modi government has waived debt with Rs 3.5 lakh crore of 15 businessmen. If that can be done, it is also possible to waive the loan of our farmers. The farmers are demanding their rights, they aren’t seeking any favours,” Gandhi, who reached Parliament Street, said while addressing the farmers in the March.
Farmers, today, marched to the Parliament Street from Ramlila Maidan, to raise their demands including implementation of the MS Swaminathan Committee, better Minimum Support Price (MSP) for their crops and loan waiver.
Gandhi further said that any government that insults the youth and farmer of this country will be thrown out.
“Leaders of all parties are sitting here. We have different ideologies, but we are united for the future of this country, its youth and its farmers. Modiji speaks on behalf of industrialists like Anil Ambani. Any government that insults the youth and farmer of this country will be thrown out. We stand with you. We are ready to do whatever you want, even if that involves changing law. This country is not run by an individual, it’s run by you, its countless farmers who work hard day and night,” he said.
Also read: Kisan Mukti March: Farmers to march to Parliament Street today
The two-day Kisan March is witnessing farmers from all around the country, including Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal.
The AIKSCC has claimed that the two-day protest will be one of the largest congregations of farmers in the national capital.
A high security official told The Hindu that over 3,500 police personnel will be deployed on Friday when the farmers will begin their march from Ramlila Maidan to Parliament Street.
As many as 850 police personnel, up to the rank of sub-inspectors, will be deployed in the Central district. They will be augmented by the presence of 12 police companies, including two of women, comprising 75-80 personnel each, a police officer told The Hindu.