Haryana: Opposition seeks relief for kin of farmers killed during protest

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, December 17

Buoyed by the repeal of the three farm laws by the BJP-led central government, the Opposition today left the ruling BJP-JJP government red-faced in the Assembly. INLD and Congress leaders dared the state government to bring a resolution hailing the repeal of the farm laws.

Notably, in the last winter session, CM Manohar Lal Khattar had brought a resolution thanking the Centre for “landmark farm laws”.

INLD’s Abhay Chautala wondered whether the state government would bring a resolution hailing the repeal of the laws on the pattern of last year’s resolution welcoming the laws. “The CM had proudly declared last year that farm laws would not be taken back. Would Khattar apologise to the House after the repeal of the farm laws, especially when PM Narendra Modi had expressed regret over the laws?” Chautala said.

Demanding the withdrawal of cases registered against farmers during the agitation, Chautala also demanded compensation for the families of 715 farmers who died during the stir, a memorial in their memory and jobs for their next of kin. He also offered to bring a resolution hailing the repeal of laws if the government was unwilling to do so.

Though Khattar was not present when Chautala raised the issue, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kanwar Pal Gujjar was apparently embarrassed at the Opposition’s demands, especially when they sought Khattar’s apology.

Leader of the Opposition Bhupinder Singh Hooda also asked the state government to offer jobs to the kin of the farmers killed in the agitation, besides compensation.

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