Delhi CM Arvind Kejiwal Tears Farm Law Copies, Says “Dont Become Worse Than British”

New Delhi: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal tore up copies of the farm bills during a special Assembly session on Thursday, and urged the centre “not to become worse than Britishers”. Mr Kejriwal also asked the centre “what was the hurry to get the farm laws passed during pandemic”.

What was the hurry to get Farm Laws passed in Parliament during pandemic? It has happened for 1st time that 3 laws were passed without voting in Rajya Sabha…I hereby tear 3 Farm laws in this assembly & appeal Centre not to become worst than Britishers: Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal https://t.co/zvc2Dx1w3E pic.twitter.com/rUOACIQwp3

— ANI (@ANI) December 17, 2020

“I hereby tear (up the) three farm laws in this Assembly and appeal to the centre not to become wors(e) than (the) Britishers. What was the hurry to get farm laws passed in parliament during (the coronavirus) pandemic?” Mr Kejriwal asked during a session called to discuss the farmers’ protest.

“Every farmer has become Bhagat Singh… government is saying they are reaching out to farmers and trying to explain benefits of the farm bills… The UP Chief Minister told farmers they will benefit as their land won’t be taken away. Is that a benefit?” the Chief Minister added.

AAP MLAs @attorneybharti and @MohinderAAP tears copy of 3 Farm Bills.

"We refuse to accept these black laws which are against farmers." pic.twitter.com/7s4puJNZPA

— AAP (@AamAadmiParty) December 17, 2020

Hours later the BJP hit back, with Lok Sabha MP Meenakshi Lekhi saying: “Centre’s farm laws were notified in Delhi Gazette on November 23. Now, they’re tearing copies of same act in Delhi Assembly. This is opportunistic politics.”

“The Delhi Chief Minister is the new chameleon… he can change colours without qualms,” Ms Lekhi was quoted by news agency ANI.

The AAP has been a vocal supporter of the farmers, and even provided basic infrastructure – drinking water, medical care and sanitation – to thousands who fought past tear gassing and lathi charges, and are now braving the cold, to camp on Delhi borders for nearly three weeks now.

Last week Mr Kejriwal visited farmers at Singhu (on the Delhi-Haryana border) and said: “We support all the demands of the farmers.” He also said the bills “decriminalise profiteering and hoarding” and hit out at critics who allege involvement of separatist elements.

“Some BJP leaders are saying farmers are anti-national. Many ex-servicemen… singers, celebrities, doctors, traders are supporting them… are all these also anti-nationals?” he asked Monday.

Mr Kejriwal also took on the centre on reports that over 20 protesters, including the 65-year-old priest of a Haryana gurudwara – have died since the agitation began nearly three weeks ago.

“…how many sacrifices farmers will have to make to get their voices heard,” he asked.

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