'Insult to farmers': PM Modi issues first response on Congress burning tractor in Delhi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday condemned burning of a tractor near India Gate in New Delhi during farm bill protests and said it is an ‘insult’ to set ablaze goods and equipment that are worshipped by farmers.

Defending agriculture reform in a tweet, PM Modi said, “ central government is giving farmers ir rights but se people have come down to protest. y (Opposition) do t want farmers of country to sell ir produce in open market at ir desired price.”

He said protestors are w insulting farmers by setting fire on goods and equipment that farmer worships.  A tractor was set ablaze near India Gate in Delhi on Monday morning during protests against controversial farm laws, which have triggered widespre demonstrations across country. police removed tractor after dousing fire.

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Nearly 20 people gared at central Delhi location around 7 am and set an old tractor on fire. According to police, protesters h raised pro-Congress slogans. police are trying to identify those involved. Punjab Youth Congress live-streamed protest at India Gate on its official Facebook p.

Reacting to incident, Union Minister Prakash Javdekar h slammed rival party for opposing Farm Bills and for trying to garner media attention by burning tractor. He called Congress party 'an embarrassment to country' and said that party stood exposed after 'drama' on Monday. BJP has condemned Congress' act of burning tractor and said that rival party's hypocrisy was reason why it lost ground. 

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Controversy over farm bills

President Ram Nath Kovind on Sunday gave assent gave his assent to all three Farm Bills passed by Parliament last week that have led to farmer agitation in Punjab and Haryana among or parts of country. agriculture bills include - Essential Commodities (Amendment) 2020, Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm services Act 2020 and Farmers' produce tre and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act 2020.

Opposition has criticised three bills terming in ‘anti-farmer’ and alleged that y were passed in violation of rules. government has asserted that se bills will allow farmers to sell ir produce anywhere y want at a better price. Farmers have expressed apprehension that Centre's farm reforms would dismantle minimum support price system, leaving m at "mercy" of big companies.

RE | Congress' Tractor Burning At India Gate Condemned: 'What Andolan Is This?' Asks Javekar

RE | Farm Bill Protestors Set Tractor On Fire At India Gate While Chanting Pro-Congress Slogans