Govt set to implement rejected farm laws under guise of policy: Kejriwal

In a sharp critique of the BJP-led Central government, AAP (Aam Aadmi Party) convenor and former Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday held the BJP responsible for the plight of protesting farmers, warning that "if something happens" to them, the BJP would bear the blame.

Farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal has been sitting on a hunger strike for over a month, demanding a legal guarantee for minimum support price (MSP) for crops, and opposing a new draft agricultural marketing policy.

In a post on social media platform X, Kejriwal accused the Centre of arrogance and reneging on its promises to farmers. "The BJP is preparing to implement the repealed farm laws through the backdoor under the guise of a 'policy'. Copies of this draft policy have been circulated to states for feedback," he alleged.

"Why does the BJP have such arrogance that it refuses to even talk to anyone?" Kejriwal questioned.

He warned that the BJP's inaction could have dire consequences. "May God keep the farmers safe, but if something happens to them, the BJP will be responsible," he said in a strongly worded statement.

The farmers’ indefinite protest has now drawn the attention of the Supreme Court, which took the Punjab government to task for not complying with its directives to hospitalise Dallewal, who has refused medical aid despite his deteriorating health.

Recently, the SC rebuked state officials and some farmer leaders for creating a "false impression" in the media that efforts were being made to break Dallewal's fast.

Punjab advocate-general Gurminder Singh said efforts were ongoing to persuade Dallewal to accept medical assistance.

Farmers under the banners of SKM (non-political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha have been staging protests at Punjab-Haryana border points since 13 February. Security forces stopped their march to Delhi, leading them to camp at Shambhu and Khanauri border points between Punjab and Haryana.

Dallewal’s indefinite fast, now entering its second month, has become a symbol of the farmers' resistance, with protesters sticking to their demands for a legal guarantee on MSP and vehemently opposing the Centre's new policy framework.

The standoff over the new agricultural policy has reignited fears of a return to the bitter conflicts of 2020. Farmers argue that the Modi government’s alleged attempts to bypass their demands show its disregard for their struggles.

As the stalemate continues, the BJP faces mounting pressure to address the farmers' grievances before the situation spirals further downward. The question remains: will the government step forward to resolve the crisis, or will it risk alienating millions of farmers once again?