The Tamil Nadu Assembly on August 28 adopted a resolution demanding the repeal of the three Farm laws enacted by the BJP-led Union Government last year, criticising them as “anti-farmer and anti-federal”. The Kerala, Punjab and Puducherry Assemblies had earlier passed similar resolutions, rejecting the three Farm laws.

All political parties represented in the House, barring the Opposition AIADMK and its ally BJP who walked out in protest, wholeheartedly supported the resolution brought in by the DMK Government in fulfilment of one of its key election promises. The resolution was adopted by voice vote.

Moving the resolution, Chief Minister, M.K. Stalin said that the three farm laws were neither conducive for the development of agriculture nor promoting the welfare of the farming community. Contrary to the Union Government’s ‘beneficial’ claims, these three farm laws are “ruinous of agriculture itself,” he said.

Pointing out that Agriculture was a State subject, Mr. Stalin said the Union Government, without consulting any of the States, unilaterally enacting these three Farm laws went against the principles of Co-operative Federalism.

“That is why we are forced to reject these three laws as the rights of the States are being usurped; the legislations have undermined federalism and destroyed the kernel of democratic bodies,” the Chief Minister asserted.

The three farm laws enacted by the Centre The three farm laws enacted by the Centre are: Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, Farmers’ (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Act, and Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act.

Stating that the farmers in North have been protesting against these farm laws for the past nine months, Stalin said this kind of an upsurge has not been witnessed in post-Independent India till now. “In a democratic era, is this the respect that the Union Government shows to the voice of the people,” the Chief Minister asked.

Mr. Stalin also announced the withdrawal of all cases registered in Tamil Nadu in the wake of protests against the Farm laws in various parts of the State.

His announcement came after two legislators,T.Velmurugan of Tamizhaga Vazhvurimai Katchi (TVK) who contested the Assembly poll on DMK symbol and M.H. Jawahirullah of Manithaneya Makkal Katchi (MMK), urged the government to withdraw the cases. Farmer’s organisations also hailed the resolution adopted by the Assembly.

Speaking on the Resolution before walking out of the House, Deputy leader of the Opposition (AIADMK), Mr. O. Panneerselvam said that the State Government should have convened an All-Party Meeting to know the views of other party members before moving such a resolution. The AIADMK had backed the passage of the Farm laws in Parliament, a fact pointed out by the senior DMK Minister, Duraimurugan in the Assembly.