Congress holds tractor rally against new farm laws, demand rollback

Jharkhand Pradesh Congress Committee (JPCC), part of the ruling alliance in the state on Monday took out tractor-rally in Ranchi and other districts demanding rollback of the new farm laws introduced by Narendra Modi government recently calling them as anti-farmer and pro-capitalist.

State party president cum finance minister Rameshwar Oraon led the rally which commenced from Rampur in Namkum and passed through Sada Bahar chowk, Doranda and culminated at a new assembly building covering a distance of about 20 km. Over 200 people comprising MLAs, workers and members of the party’s farm wing took part in the rally, with many driving tractors while others walking on foot and moving in their vehicles. On the way, the leaders also interacted with local farmers and the public assembled to witness the procession and apprised them of why the newly enacted laws are anti-farmer.

“These laws will force farmers to work as contract laborers for the capitalist,” said Oraon, adding that the party is fighting nationally against these contentious laws in the interest of farmers. Criticizing the BJP led government in the Centre, Oraon said that since 2014, the incumbent regime in the Centre has been strategically weakening the economy, and its driving forces to outsource everything to corporate. “It began four years back with demonetization which forced migrants, daily wagers and the public at large to the brink. They (Centre) claimed black money will get wiped out but nothing happened. All black money returned back. Then it brought goods and services taxes (GST) in form of simplification of the tax system but it turned into a monster for the traders while poor states like us are being denied our dues. Now, our farmlands are put up for sale by bringing new laws in the name of farm linkage with the market,” alleged Oraon.