‘No data on farmers who died during protest, no question of aid’

New Delhi: While the Opposition continues to demand compensation for the kin of the farmers who lost their lives during the year-long protest against the farm laws, the government in Parliament maintained that it has no record of those who died.

In a response to the question on whether it proposes to provide financial assistance to the family of farmers who died during the agitation, the government stated, “The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmer’s Welfare has no record in the matter and hence the question does not arise.”

The Samyukta Kisan Morcha, the body spearheading the farmer protest, has put the figure to over 670 deaths. A day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the rollback of the farm laws, the farmers’ body stated, “So far, more than 670 protesters have sacrificed their lives in this movement. The Modi government has refused to acknowledge the high human cost.”

Meanwhile, Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi has claimed that about 700 farmers had lost their lives in the protest. On the first day of the Winter Session of Parliament, the Congress leader had tweeted, “700 farmers were martyred in the farmers’ protest. Their martyrdom was not spoken about in Parliament today, nor was it respected by paying tribute.”

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12 RS MPs suspended for unruly behavior

Twelve Opposition members of the Rajya Sabha were suspended for the entire winter session for “unprecedented acts of misconduct”, “unruly and violent behavior” and “intentional attacks on security personnel” on August 11, the last day of the previous monsoon session.

This is the first time members of the Rajya Sabha have been suspended for misconduct during the previous session. Opposition parties described the move as “authoritarian”, “unwarranted” and “undemocratic”.

The suspension was announced after the Bill to repeal the farm laws was passed in the Upper House. The House was adjourned for the day soon after the announcement.

Image courtesy of Photo: indiatvnews.com

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