Repealing of farm laws without discussion shows government 'terrified': Rahul

He said the repeal of the laws is a success of farmers and also of the country

Top Opposition leaders on Monday tore into the Narendra Modi government for not allowing debate on the Farm Laws Repeal Bill, 2021, saying the ruling dispensation is "terrified", "shameless" and indulging in "deliberate systematic destruction of Parliament".

Former Congress president Rahul Gandhi asked what was the point of Parliament if discussions are not allowed while Trinamool Congress floor leader Derek O'Brien sought to debunk the claim that no debates were held on Bills to repeal laws.

CPI(M) General Secretary Sitaram Yechury said Modi sermonises on debates in Parliament but no discussion allowed in both Houses on repeal of farm laws.

Rahul said the Congress had predicted that the government would have to take back the farm laws as it knew that the "power of 3-4 crony capitalists cannot withstand" the strength of farmers and labourers.

Also Read | Farm Laws Repeal Bill 2021 passed in Parliament on Day 1 of Winter Session

"What is unfortunate is how the bills have been repealed, without any discussion, without any conversation. We wanted to have a discussion about the forces behind these Bills because these Bills do not just reflect the view of the Prime Minister, these Bills reflect the forces behind the Prime minister and that is what we wanted to discuss. We wanted to discuss MSP (issue), we wanted to discuss the Lakhimpur Kheri incident, we wanted to discuss the 700 farmers who died in this agitation and unfortunately that discussion has not been allowed," Rahul told reporters here.

He said the avoidance of debate was a reflection of the fact that the Modi government was "terrified" and "wants to hide".

Referring to government arguments that there had been no discussions on bills to repeal laws, Trinamool Congress Rajya Sabha floor leader Derek O'Brien tweeted, "Modi I (2014-19): Repealing and Amending Bill 2017 was one instance. Six MPs participated in the discussion. A fig leaf of democracy then. Some shame. Modi II (2019-today): Farm Laws Repeal Bill 2021 taken up and passed. No debate allowed. Not even a fig leaf of democracy. Shameless."

CPI(M) General Secretary Sitaram Yechury tweeted, "Modi sermonises on debates in Parliament but no discussion allowed in both Houses on repeal of farm laws. Deliberate systematic destruction of Parliament."

He also said, "democracy cannot coexist with dishonesty, deceit and subterfuge. Murder of India’s Parliamentary Democracy. Modi govt says no discussion ever took place when Bills are repealed. Complete falsehood.

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