New Delhi: The Jammu and Kashmir National Conference on Thursday criticized the government for disallowing the delegation of MPs of opposition parties from meeting the protesting farmers at Gazipur, terming the measure undemocratic and unparliamentarily.
Party’s Member of Parliament from Anantnag Hassnain Masoodi was also a part of the group of 15 MPs from ten opposition parties who visited Ghazipur on Thursday morning but were not allowed to meet the protesting farmers. The MPs said that the issue would be brought to the notice of Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla.
“Despite repeated requests we were not allowed to meet the protesting farmers. We were forced to return back from the border entry point,” he said.
Far from targeting farmers as a channel for poverty reduction, the ruling BJP is adamant on a mission to leave the farmers of the country to the mercy of market forces, Masoodi said. “We have been impressing upon the government to convene a special parliament session on the issue but so far his government has given us cold shoulders,” he added.
Given the economic condition of our farmers in the country, he said the MSP and state procurement of the crops should be made a legal right, he said. He further said the contentious farm laws should be repealed and that the government should implement the Swaminathan panel report and peg MSP to farmer’s satisfaction.
Alluding to the BJPs flawed blueprint on Jammu and Kashmir, he said the manner in which all parliamentary norms and procedures were thrown to winds by ruling BJP for bulldozing J&K was yet another example of the ruling party’s aversion for debating and discussion. “The process of evading discussion and scrutiny in parliament has gained prominence over the past seven years by the incumbent government.
We have time and again asked the government to allow a time slot for discussions on issues concerning Jammu and Kashmir. Disallowing discussions on Kashmir in parliament speaks volumes about the undemocratic and repressive approach. We have again urged the honorable Speaker to allow a short discussion on J&K,” he added.

KR Desk