Amid the ongoing farmers' protest in North India, Rahul Gandhi made a significant declaration on Tuesday, asserting that if the Congress assumes power, it will enshrine in law a commitment to provide every farmer with the minimum support price (MSP) for their agricultural produce, aligning with the recommendations of the Swaminathan Commission.
This pledge by the Congress leader emerges against the backdrop of the 'Delhi Chalo March' organized by approximately 200 farmer unions, aimed at exerting pressure on the Central government to address their grievances, including the demand for a legal assurance regarding the minimum support price (MSP).
Rahul Gandhi emphasized the significance of this announcement, labeling it as "historic" and highlighting its potential to positively impact the lives of approximately 15 crore farming families, thereby fostering their prosperity.
He underscored the significance of this commitment as the "first guarantee" of the Congress party in its pursuit of equitable justice.
Echoing similar sentiments, Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge reiterated the party's commitment to ensuring a legal guarantee for MSP during an event as part of the `Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra' in Chhattisgarh's Ambikapur district, emphasizing that this assurance would be among the party's foremost priorities if it assumes power at the Centre following the Lok Sabha elections.
The ongoing farmers' protest witnessed instances of police intervention, with reports of tear gas being fired and water cannons being deployed to deter large groups of farmers from entering Haryana through the Khanauri border in Jind district. Similar confrontations occurred earlier in the day at the Shambhu border in Haryana's Ambala.
Meanwhile, the Punjab and Haryana High Court weighed in on the matter, advocating for an amicable resolution to the farmers' protest and urging authorities to consider the use of force as a last resort. The court emphasized the fundamental right of protesters to express themselves while stressing the government's obligation to safeguard citizens and ensure minimal disruption to their daily lives.
