Lies exposed: Congress demands MSP law, censures govt for 'suppressing' Delhi march

The Congress on Thursday intensified its criticism of the Modi government over the latest round of farmers' protests, accusing it of ignoring farmers' demands and employing oppressive measures to stifle protests. In an X post, Congress MP and Lok Sabha Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi called on the government to engage with protesting farmers and address their grievances.

“The government must immediately implement demands such as a legal guarantee for minimum support price (MSP), setting MSP at 1.5 times the comprehensive cost of cultivation as per the Swaminathan Commission, and loan waivers,” Gandhi wrote in his post in Hindi.

He condemned the use of tear gas and barricades against marching farmers, adding, “The country has not forgotten the sacrifice of over 700 farmers during the previous farmers’ movement. A prosperous India is possible only when its farmers prosper.”

At a press conference later in the day, Congress MP Randeep Surjewala echoed Gandhi’s sentiments and demanded that the government fulfil its two-year-old promise of legislating MSP, and accused the government of evading accountability.

“Farmers from across north India are marching peacefully to remind the government of its promises. Yet, they are being met with barricades, nails, and even suspended internet services. Meanwhile, the prime minister has time for movies but no time to meet farmers,” Surjewala said.

He also exposed five "lies of the Modi government" at the conference.

1. The agriculture minister said the Modi government buys all crops at MSP: The truth is that except wheat, this government purchases less than 1 per cent of the crops at MSP.

2. The agriculture minister said 50 per cent profit is being given on the cost: At the same time, the same government said in its affidavit that if farmers are given 50 per cent profit on cost, then the market will be ruined.

3. Agriculture minister today boasted that MSP is being given at 200-300 per cent profit over the cost: The truth is that the MSP fixed in BJP ruled states is 100-200 per cent less than the cost of different crops.

4. The agriculture minister said we have increased the MSP from 80 to 150 percent and placed the chart related to this on the table of the House: We have put up the chart of the last 2 years related to the truth of this, what is the MSP last year and this year?

5. The cost price of soybean is Rs 4,892, which was sold for less than Rs 4,000 in Madhya Pradesh: The prime minister had said we will buy it for Rs 6,000, but it seems that even PM Modi's words have no value.

Earlier in the day, tension erupted at the Shambhu border point in Ambala, where a group of 101 farmers marching toward Delhi was stopped by Haryana Police using multilayered barricades and tear gas.

Prohibitory orders under section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) were imposed, and mobile internet services in 11 villages of Ambala district were suspended until 9 December.

Despite the restrictions, farmers holding union flags continued to push forward, demanding a legal guarantee for MSP and highlighting the dire situation faced by the agrarian community. “One farmer is forced to commit suicide every hour in India. This is the grim reality the government must address,” said a farmer leader.

The Congress party has pledged its support to the farmers, urging the government to implement their demands to ensure justice and prosperity for the farming community.