Baby Chakraborty, KalimNews, 26 September 2024, Delhi – BJP MP and actress Kangana Ranaut has stirred controversy by demanding the reinstatement of the three repealed agriculture laws, claiming they were in the best interest of farmers. Ranaut, who represents Mandi in Himachal Pradesh, urged farmers to unite and advocate for the return of the laws for their own prosperity. Her remarks have caused discomfort within the BJP, especially with the upcoming Haryana assembly elections looming.
Speaking on the issue, Kangana said, “What I am saying may spark debate, but I believe the agriculture laws should be brought back because they were designed to benefit farmers. It’s important for the farming community to raise this demand for their own development. Farmers are the backbone of the country’s progress, and only a few states opposed these laws.”
Ranaut’s comments have led to a political uproar, with the Congress seizing the opportunity to criticize the BJP. Congress leaders have accused the ruling party of trying to reintroduce the controversial laws through backdoor channels, using Kangana as a spokesperson. “Kangana’s statements are not isolated. This is a deliberate move by the BJP to test the waters ahead of future elections,” claimed a senior Congress leader, suggesting the BJP has hidden motives regarding the agriculture laws.
The three agriculture laws, which were passed in 2020, sparked massive protests, particularly in Punjab and Haryana, and were eventually repealed by the government in November 2021. The laws had sought to deregulate agricultural markets, allowing private players greater access, but were met with widespread opposition from farmers who feared losing their livelihood and being exploited by large corporations.
While the BJP has distanced itself from Ranaut’s comments, her call to bring back the repealed laws has put the party in a delicate position, especially with farmers being a key voting bloc in Haryana. Many within the BJP are wary of reigniting the controversy, which had once led to a year-long protest and strained relations with farmers across several states.
Kangana’s statements, while in line with her staunch support for the central government’s policies, have placed the BJP in a difficult spot as it tries to balance appeasing its core support base without reigniting public anger over the contentious laws. The party has yet to officially comment on her demand, but political analysts believe the timing of her statement, just before the Haryana elections, could affect the BJP’s electoral prospects.
As debates surrounding the agriculture laws resurface, Kangana’s outspoken views have once again thrust her into the center of political discourse, raising questions about the future of these contentious reforms.