#SpeakUpForFarmers online campaign a massive success, protests against farm bills to continue: Congress

The Congress on Saturday said its online campaign #SpeakUpForFarmers had been a massive success, amplifying the voice of millions of farmers protesting against the farm bills. Over 250 farmers’ organisations kept their political differences aside and protested against these oppressive legislations across the length and breadth of the country, it said, adding that the protests will continue in the coming days.

“It was indeed a loud wake up call for the BJP government which is hell bent upon destroying the farmers and farming sector in the country to suit the interests of a handful of crony capitalists,” KC Venugopal, MP & AICC General Secretary In-charge for Organization said in a statement.

“As an extension of concerted opposition to these anti-farmers laws, the PCCs will be holding protests on Monday, September 28,” he said. On October 2, the party will observe “Kisan-Mazdoor Bachao Divas”, with the party holding dharnas and marches at every assembly HQ & District HQ across the country on these draconian bills, he added.

Here is the full text of the statement:

Following the shamelessly undemocratic and truncated Monsoon Session of Parliament, where Congress Party opposed the three draconian anti-farmer bills tooth and nail, the party today ran a nationwide online campaign — "Speak Up For Farmers" — against the Central government’s dubiously and undemocratically passed anti-farmers legislations. The massive campaign successfully amplified the voice of millions of farmers protesting against these black laws across the country.

It was indeed a loud wake up call for the BJP government which is hell bent upon destroying the farmers and farming sector in the country to suit the interests of a handful of crony capitalists.

Over 250 farmers’ organisations keeping aside their political differences, were protesting against these oppressive legislations across the length and breadth of the country.

The bills aim at Scrapping of Minimum Support Price (MSP) mechanism and abolish the Agriculture Produce Market Committees (APMC) which is undoubtedly going to render a big blow to our farmers who contributed immensely to our economy even during this COVID-19 pandemic period. For the benefit of a handful crony capitalist friends, the Modi government has unleashed a diabolical conspiracy by denying democratic discussions and voting in the Parliament on these bills.

Extending all out solidarity to the agitating farmers, the Indian National Congress today launched the next edition of its nationwide online campaign, “Speak Up India”, asking the BJP government to immediately withdraw these anti-farmers and anti-people legislations.

Joining lakhs of Congress workers and leaders, former Congress President Rahul Gandhi tweeted, “Let us raise our voices together against the atrocities and exploitation of farmers by the Modi government.” Tagging a video, he said that after Demonetization, GST and Corona, the farmers are being targeted – they are going to be enslaved by the corporates. The Congress party is with our farmers and we will fight against these laws. He also warned the government that “if the farmers come on the street, there will be huge consequences.” He urged the government to withdraw these bills immediately and guarantee MSP to the farmers.

The online campaign to this effect, reflecting the mood of the farmers and the general public, was quick to resonate on Twitter as lakhs joined the campaign online. #SpeakUpForFarmers trended on Twitter in India this afternoon with nearly 2 lakh tweets and counting.

As an extension of concerted opposition to these anti-farmers laws, the PCCs will be holding protests on Monday, the 28th September, 2020. On this day, PCC presidents/CLP leaders (CMs in Congress-ruled states) along with all MPs/MLAs/ex-Ministers/ex-MPs will walk from PCC office or a designated point like Mahatma Gandhi’s statue in different state capitals up to Raj Bhavan and submit a Memorandum to Governor addressed to President of India on the anti-farmers bills.

On 2nd October, the party will observe “Kisan-Mazdoor Bachao Divas”. The party will hold dharnas & marches at every assembly HQ & District HQ across the country on these draconian bills.