The new farm laws are “reformist and revolutionary” but should have been passed after more extensive dialogue with the farming community, said BJP MP Brijendra Singh, who is the great-grandson of legendary farmer leader Chaudhary Sir Chhotu Ram.
Singh said the Centre would not have to deal with agitations if there had been extensive dialogue with stakeholders. “I do feel there is some lack of dialogue prior to passing of these bills in Parliament. Had all the stakeholders been taken on board prior to passage of bills, we would have better situation now,” said the great-grandson of the man who was architect of mandi laws.
While party leaders said the farmers’ agitation has been politicised, Singh who is a son of former Union minister Chaudhary Birendra Singh, had a different view. “When issues of public are involved, politics is bound to come in. Politics isn’t a dirty word. Politics is bound to be there on such an issue of this magnitude,” said Singh.
On Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar’s alleged accusations of those supporting Khalistan demand being involved in agitation, Singh said that once an agitation attains such a magnitude, there are elements who try to spoil it, be they religious or pro-Khalistan. “They see a window of opportunity for them. We must be careful,” added Singh.
He, however, is all praise for these laws, saying the government has done it with good intentions. “Agriculture sector was crying out for a change to break out of rut that it has been in. The government has taken a bold decision by bringing these farm laws which seek to provide new direction. However, it’s a time consuming process. This will take a long time for private sector to come in and infrastructure to be in place and it will give farmers to see for themselves whether it is for their benefit or not,” said the BJP MP from Hisar.
With ANI inputs