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BJP MP Kangana Ranaut recently stirred controversy by stating that the three farm laws, which were repealed after a massive farmers’ protest, should be reintroduced. She further remarked that farmers themselves should demand the return of these laws for their prosperity. Ranaut’s comments, made just ahead of the Haryana Assembly elections, have reignited the debate on the farm laws that triggered one of the largest protests in the country.
Ranaut’s statement has sparked anger among the farming community, with many leaders condemning her remarks as insensitive and provocative. BJP spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia distanced the party from her comments, calling them her personal opinion and not reflective of BJP’s stance. However, the damage seems to have been done, with farmers’ resentment boiling over again.
Farmers’ Leaders React Sharply
Prominent farmer leader Abhimanyu Kohar criticized Ranaut, saying that she has a history of making “frivolous statements” and accused her of deliberately attempting to provoke farmers. Kohar added, “The more they [BJP] torment the farmers, the worse their results will be in the Haryana elections.”
Sarwan Singh Pandher, leader of the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM), echoed Kohar’s sentiments. He questioned how a sitting MP could make such statements on policy matters and dismissed the BJP’s attempt to categorize it as her personal opinion. Pandher demanded action against Ranaut, accusing the BJP of revealing its true stance on the farm laws through her comments.
Opposition and Farmers United in Opposition
Congress leaders, too, have jumped into the fray, with Rohtak MP Deepender Hooda challenging the BJP, saying, “Farmers have shed blood to protect the Minimum Support Price (MSP) and the mandi system from BJP’s authoritarian government.” Hooda warned that any attempt to revive the farm laws would be met with fierce resistance in Haryana. He added that Congress, if victorious in the state elections, would ensure that no such laws could ever be re-enacted.
The Lingering Impact of the Farmers’ Protest
The farmers’ protest, which lasted for 378 days and saw the loss of 750 farmers’ lives, left deep scars, especially in Haryana. The Indian Farmers’ Union (BKU) claims that of the 750 farmers who died during the protests, 17 were from Haryana’s Jind district alone. Farmers have been camping at the Shambhu and Khanauri borders of the state for the past six months, highlighting their continued unrest. Experts suggest that farmers hold sway in more than 35 out of Haryana’s 90 assembly constituencies, making their support crucial in the upcoming elections.
Farmers’ leaders are already predicting a significant backlash against the BJP. They warn that if this rhetoric continues, the party could face substantial losses, including in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, where the BJP risks losing half of its 10 seats in Haryana.
Unresolved Demands of the Farmers
Even though the farm laws were withdrawn, the unrest among farmers persists. Joginder Ghasi Ram Nain, president of the Indian Farmers’ Union in Haryana, pointed out that while many cases against farmers from the protest period have been withdrawn, there are still unresolved issues.
“Between 2020 and 2021, during the 13-month-long agitation, Haryana police filed 259 FIRs involving over 48,000 people. Most of the cases have been withdrawn, but the demands of financial compensation and job assistance for the families of the deceased farmers have not been fully met,” Nain said.
Nain claims that while the BJP government had initially promised financial assistance of ₹5 lakh to the families of the deceased, and Congress had pledged ₹2 lakh, not all families received the compensation. The BJP fulfilled its promise to 128 families, but 22 families remain without any financial help. Similarly, Congress helped 83 families, while 67 families still await assistance.
Khap Panchayats and Their Role
Khap panchayats, which played a pivotal role during the protests, remain a significant force in Haryana’s rural landscape. Jaipal Dahiya, the head of the Dahiya Khap, said that their support for the farmers’ cause remains unwavering.
“The largest support for the farmers came from the Dahiya and Aantil khaps during the 13-month-long Delhi border protest. We have always stood against the injustice faced by farmers. This time, in the assembly elections, the farmers’ issue is the most critical one. We’ve never directly engaged in politics, but if the farmers send us any message, we’ll stand with them,” Dahiya stated.
Conclusion: Farmers’ Discontent Looms Over the Elections
With the Haryana Assembly elections scheduled for October 5, farmers’ issues are once again at the forefront. Kangana Ranaut’s comments have reignited the farm law debate, potentially hurting BJP’s electoral prospects in the state. The farming community, still nursing grievances from the earlier agitation, seems unwilling to forget or forgive easily. Whether the BJP can successfully navigate this turbulent terrain remains to be seen.
