Repeal Farm Laws: Opposition Leaders to Boycott President Address in Parliament

Members of Parliament (MPs) in India protesting in the Parliament complex on September 23, 2020 against the new farm laws announced by the government. Photo: Congress
Members of Parliament (MPs) in India protesting in the Parliament complex on September 23, 2020 against the new farm laws announced by the government. Photo: Congress

By RMN News Service

A number of opposition political parties have decided to boycott President Ram Nath Kovind’s address to the joint session of Parliament on Friday (January 29) in support of farmers’ demand for repeal of contentious farm laws.

Punjab-based Akali Dal, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) of Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal, and 15 other opposition parties led by Congress have decided to boycott the presidential address, which marks the beginning of the Budget Session commencing Friday.

In a joint statement issued by the leaders of the opposition parties, it is said that India’s farmers have been fighting against the three farm laws, which are being arbitrarily imposed by the BJP government of Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi.

The statement added that hundreds of thousands of farmers have been protesting on the outskirts of Delhi for the past over 2 months in severe cold and over 155 farmers have lost their lives while sitting on the roads.

The Modi government – which is arrogant, adamant, and undemocratic – has responded with water cannons, tear gas, and baton charge to drive away the protesting farmers, the statement said.

While farmers are asking the government to repeal the laws, the Modi government has refused to accept farmers’ demands.

Support RMN News Service for Independent Fearless Journalism

In today’s media world controlled by corporates and politicians, it is extremely difficult for independent editorial voices to survive. Raman Media Network (RMN) News Service has been maintaining editorial freedom and offering objective content for the past more than 12 years despite enormous pressures and extreme threats. In order to serve you fearlessly in this cut-throat world, RMN News Service urges you to support us financially with your donations. You may please click here and choose the amount that you want to donate. Thank You. Rakesh Raman, Editor, RMN News Service.

RMN News

Rakesh Raman