New Delhi: The Congress launched Monday a social media campaign to muster support for the farmers protesting against the Centre’s new farm laws. Party leader Rahul Gandhi said that when farmers raise their voice, it resonates across India. “The Modi government has persecuted the farmer. First it brought black laws and then used lathis against them. However, it forgot that when the farmer raises his voice, it resonates throughout India. You also raise your voice against the exploitation of farmers and join the #SpeakUpForFarmers campaign,” Rahul Gandhi said in a tweet in Hindi.
“The farmer of the country has come to Delhi in the cold, leaving his home and fields. He has done that to voice his protest against the black agriculture laws. In this battle of truth and untruth, with whom do you stand – the ‘Annadata’ (food-giving) farmer or the PM’s capitalist friends,” Rahul said in another tweet.
The former Congress chief said wherever these farmers are protesting, the people and Congress workers should stand in their support and provide them food.
“The question is why is the farmer out on the roads? They are travelling thousands of kilometers and stalling traffic. PM Modi says the three farm laws are in favour of the farmer. However, if these laws are in the farmer’s favour, why are they not happy and why are they protesting,” asked Rahul.
“These laws are for Narendra Modi’s two-three friends. They are aimed at stealing from the farmers. That is why we all have to together stand with the strength of India – the farmer,” asserted Rahul.
The former Congress president also shared an over one-minute-long video. It is part of the campaign in which the Congress party asked the government to listen to the grievances of the farmers and not use force against them.
The video also alleged that while the farmers are producing food grains to feed the country, they are facing water cannons and lathis at the hands of the Modi government.
Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also joined the #SpeakUpForFarmers campaign. She shared the same video highlighting the plight of the farmers.
“In the name of farm laws, all billionaire friends are benefitting. How can farm laws be framed without even talking to farmers? How can the interests of farmers be ignored?” Priyanka said in a tweet in Hindi.
“The government will have to listen to the farmers. Let us together raise our voice in support of farmers,” she added.
Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said Prime Minister Narendra Modi should announce the suspension of the three agri laws. He should take back all 12,000 FIRs filed against farmers without any pre-conditions. Surjewala also demanded that Modi should himself talk to the representatives of all farmer unions. He should assure them of redressing their grievances.
Senior Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge said, “Lakhs of farmers who are protesting the anti-farmer laws passed by the government have now been stopped outside Delhi. If the BJP is convinced of the laws passed by them, they should have to courage to meet the farmers and convince them.”