On Wednesday, two Congress chief ministers, Punjab’s Charanjit Singh Channi and Chhattisgarh’s Bhupesh Baghel, proposed a Rs. 50 lakh compensation for the farmers killed in Uttar Pradesh’s Lakhimpur Kheri after being reportedly hit by a car.
Channi and Baghel travelled to Uttar Pradesh with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to speak with the victims’ relatives. The families of two journalists murdered in the tragedy will also be compensated by the two countries.
“My state is predominantly an agricultural state. We can’t stay silent if farmers are killed in a planned way. The Congress can’t stay quiet. Rahul Gandhi has come here today. I also understand my duty,” said Charanjit Singh Channi, announcing ₹50 lakh compensation for victims’ families.
Next, Baghel made the announcement. “As Channi sahib just announced the compensation, Rahul Gandhi told us that the whole country is the country of farmers and Chhattisgarh is called the rice bowl. Chhattisgarh is also the state of farmers, so we all have to stand in this misery.”
KC Venugopal, who had also accompanied Gandhi and the chief ministers to Lucknow, said, “This is a clear symbol of Indian National Congress’ support to the farmers of the country. I appreciate the stand taken by our two Chief Ministers of Punjab and Chhattisgarh. This will give a clear message to the country that Congress Party governments will stand for farmers.”
