BJP MLA Backs Kangana Ranaut’s Support for Reinstatement of Controversial Farm Laws Despite Her Retraction
New Delhi, 26th September 2024: On Wednesday, BJP MLA Nand Kishor Gurjar expressed support for party Lok Sabha member Kangana Ranaut’s comments advocating for the reinstatement of the three farm laws that the Centre repealed in November 2021 following significant farmer protests.
Gurjar, who represents the Loni assembly constituency in Ghaziabad, made these remarks despite Ranaut later retracting her statements, which had sparked political controversy. The ruling BJP had distanced itself from her initial comments by that time.
In a video statement, Gurjar emphasized, “What Kangana Ranaut stated was that there were bodies hanging during the farmers’ movement, a reality witnessed by the entire nation and the world. Yet, no one wants to acknowledge the truth. Farmers across the country are calling for the Prime Minister, who has strived to improve the lives of farmers and the impoverished, to implement these bills.”
He further added, “I fully endorse Kangana Ranaut’s remarks. This is not my first time saying this; I have maintained this stance from the beginning.”
Despite being previously in the spotlight for allegedly intimidating protesting farmers at the Ghazipur border—a significant location during the farmer protests—Gurjar reiterated his support for Ranaut’s comments. He remarked that the Modi government has made significant strides in enhancing the lives of farmers, who play a crucial role in the nation’s GDP.
Gurjar explained, “Previously, there was a network of middlemen (aadhti) preventing farmers from selling their produce freely, often leading to harassment by law enforcement. The introduction of three new provisions aimed to empower farmers.”
He also mentioned that when these bills were initially proposed, Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) leader Rakesh Tikait expressed fulfillment of his father’s dreams, noting that Mahendra Singh Tikait had fought for the three bills.
“However, this attracted the attention of Khalistani elements and the ISI,” he claimed, adding that it was a documented fact. “They attempted to create chaos similar to Bangladesh. This was a protest driven by the farmers.”
On Wednesday, Ranaut retracted her previous statements advocating for the restoration of the three farm laws, clarifying that her views were personal and did not reflect the party’s position. She acknowledged her affiliation with the BJP and stated that her comments should align with the party’s policies.
Earlier, the Congress party had shared a video of Ranaut on X, where she stated, “The repealed farm laws should be reinstated. This may be controversial, but the laws beneficial to farmers must return. Farmers themselves should advocate for this to ensure their prosperity.” She highlighted the vital role of farmers in India’s progress, noting that objections to the laws were limited to certain states. “I humbly appeal for the return of these laws in the farmers’ interest,” she concluded.
The three controversial bills—the Farmer’s Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, the Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement of Price Assurance and Farm Services Act, and the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act—were repealed in November 2021, concluding the farmers’ protest that began in November 2020.
