Congress president Sonia Gandhi Sunday launched a scathing attack on the government over the three farm laws, the handling of the Covid-19

New Delhi: Congress president Sonia Gandhi Sunday launched a scathing attack on the government over the three farm laws, the handling of the Covid-19 pandemic, economic slowdown and alleged atrocities against Dalits, while claiming that Indian democracy is passing through its most difficult phase.

A conspiracy has been hatched to defeat the gains of the ‘green revolution’, she alleged, slamming the government over the three "anti-agriculture black laws”.

Sonia Gandhi

Hitting out at the government over the recently passed farm laws, she said the BJP-led dispensation has attacked the very foundation of India's resilient agrarian economy by bringing in "three anti-agriculture black laws".

"A conspiracy has been hatched to defeat the gains of the ‘green revolution’. Lives and livelihoods of crores of farm labourers, leasehold farmers, small and marginal farmers, toiling labourers and small shopkeepers are under attack. It is our solemn duty to join hands to defeat this sinister conspiracy," Gandhi asserted.

The three farm bills - the Farmer's Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Bill, 2020, the Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement of Price Assurance and Farm Services Bill, 2020 and the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Bill, 2020 were passed by Parliament recently. Subsequently, President Ram Nath Kovind gave his assent to the bills.

Sonia Gandhi and Narendra Modi

The Congress, many other opposition parties and several farmers organisations have been protesting against these legislations, claiming that these will harm the interests of farmers and benefit corporates, a claim denied by the government. The Centre has asserted that these new laws will be beneficial for farmers and will increase their income.

"Never has the country witnessed such a free-fall in GDP as also all other economic indices. Today, the young have no jobs. Nearly 14 crore jobs have been lost. Small and medium businesses, small shopkeepers and other small enterprises are shutting at an unprecedented pace, yet an uncaring government remains a mute spectator," the Congress president said.

She also accused the government of failing to honour even its Constitutional responsibilities, saying the share of GST compensation is being denied to states.