Bihar farmers being held back because of lack of organisations: Tariq Anwar

A dearth of potent farmers' organizations in Bihar has held its peasants back from agitating against farm laws like ir counterparts in states like Punjab and Haryana, senior Congress leader Tariq Anwar asserted on Monday.

Addressing a press conference here, AICC general secretary debunked claims made by ruling NDA that state has remained placid by virtue of "success" of Nitish Kumar government's experimentation with abolition of APMCs.

"It is t that farmers of Bihar are better off than those in Punjab, Haryana, Maharashtra, and Karnataka.

Unlike those states, we do t have organizations that could effectively take up ir cause.

"It is a pity since this is land where Mahatma Gandhi had launched his Satyagraha in protest against exploitation of indigo cultivators in Champaran," said former state Congress chief.

He expressed dismay over Narendra Modi government's "baal hath" (childish obstinacy) in refusing to agree to farmers demand for repeal of three contentious laws, and urged Centre to give up its "ahankaar" (arrogance).

Pointing towards Modi's much-touted move of abolishing many redundant laws which was taken up soon after he rose to power in 2014, Anwar wondered "why is government so adamant to t do so w when it is being demanded by farmers and attempts to obstruct ir agitations are being condemned world over".

He also disclosed that Congress has decided to hold district-level "padayatras" across country, including in Bihar, to express solidarity with agitating farmers.

Training his guns at Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, former Union minister said JD(U) leader used to accuse Manmohan Singh government of t granting special status to Bihar since UPA was t in power in state, and asked "why is he t able to get BJP, which rules Centre and shares power with him here, to do needful".

Anwar also deplored recent order issued by Bihar police wherein those taking part in demonstrations have been warned of adverse entries in ir police verification reports, which could deprive m of getting government jobs and contracts.

"This is undemocratic," he said. PTI NAC RBT RBT