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Opposition parties demand JPC probe to ascertain details of farmer deaths during agitation

The letter came in the wake of Tomar's statement that the Centre has no knowledge of farmer deaths
Last Updated 30 July 2021, 13:48 IST

Eight non-Congress Opposition parties, including Akali Dal, Shiv Sena, NCP and CPI(M), have written to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla seeking a probe by a Joint Parliamentary Committee on deaths of farmers during the ongoing protests at Delhi borders against the contentious farm laws.

Leaders of Akali Dal, Shiv Sena, BSP, NCP, CPI(M), CPI, RLP and National Conference, are also likely to meet President Ram Nath Kovind on Saturday demanding repeal of the three farm laws.

The parties' move came after Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar said in Parliament that the Centre has no knowledge of farmers' deaths during the protests.

In their letter, the leaders of these parties have said that the Minister's statement has hurt the sentiments of farmers across the country and sought his apology.

"It is shocking that the 'annadaata' was subjected to this insult, despite clear-cut recorded proof of hundreds of farmers being martyred during the Kisan Andolan. It is even more appalling that the Agriculture Minister has gone on record to say that neither a study has been conducted to verify the numbers of these farmer deaths nor a study to understand the apprehensions in the minds of farmers regarding the three farm laws," they said.

Calling it a "very serious lapse" on the part of the minister, they said he has "misled the nation" and should "apologise to the farming community for his intemperate remarks that have hurt their self-respect".

"We urge you (Speaker) to form a JPC led by an Opposition member to probe the entire issue and ascertain details of the total number of lives lost in the ongoing Kisan Andolan and suggest ways and means to rehabilitate the victim families," the leaders said in the letter.

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(Published 30 July 2021, 10:05 IST)

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