New Delhi: The Rajya Sabha on Sunday passed two contentious farm bills by voice vote as the House witnessed chaotic scenes after some slogan-shouting opposition members led by the Trinamool Congress climbed on to the chairperson’s podium demanding a discussion.

Ad1

The Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Bill, 2020, and The Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Bill, 2020, was passed by the upper house. The Essential Commodities (Amendment) Bill, 2020, part of the broader farm liberalisation plan, could not be taken up and the House was adjourned for the day.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the passing of the farm bills in parliament was a "watershed moment in the history of Indian agriculture" as he hailed the laws cleared by the Rajya Sabha amid major chaos and drama.

Ad2

"A watershed moment in the history of Indian agriculture! Congratulations to our hardworking farmers on the passage of key bills in Parliament, which will ensure a complete transformation of the agriculture sector as well as empower crores of farmers," he tweeted.

A watershed moment in the history of Indian agriculture! Congratulations to our hardworking farmers on the passage of key bills in Parliament, which will ensure a complete transformation of the agriculture sector as well as empower crores of farmers.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 20, 2020

For decades, the Indian farmer was bound by various constraints and bullied by middlemen. The bills passed by Parliament liberate the farmers from such adversities. These bills will add impetus to the efforts to double income of farmers and ensure greater prosperity for them.
Ad3
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 20, 2020

Our agriculture sector is in desperate need of latest technology that assists the industrious farmers. Now, with the passage of the bills, our farmers will have easier access to futuristic technology that will boost production and yield better results. This is a welcome step.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 20, 2020

Opposition members, including those from the TMC, Congress and Left, created ruckus after deputy chairperson Harivansh did not consider their demand for a division of votes on a resolution to send the two bills to a select committee. Amid the ruckus, the House was adjourned briefly.

The Congress and other opposition party members sat in protest inside Rajya Sabha even after the House was adjourned for the day after the passage of two farm bills.

Ad4

During the period in which the Upper House was shortly adjourned, Derek O'Brien tweeted a video from the central hall of the Parliament saying, “They cheated. They broke every rule in Parliament. It was a historic day. In the worst sense of the word. They cut RSTV feed so the country couldn’t see.”

They cheated. They broke every rule in Parliament. It was a historic day. In the worst sense of the word. They cut RSTV feed so the country couldn't see. They censored RSTV. Don’t spread propaganda. We have evidence. But first watch this pic.twitter.com/y4Nh9Vu9DA
— Derek O'Brien | ডেরেক ও'ব্রায়েন (@derekobrienmp) September 20, 2020

However, Rajya Sabha MP Rajeev Chandrasekhar slammed the Opposition for their behaviour in the Parliament.

In all my yrs in Parl, hv never witnessed more disgraceful,loutish, violent behavior than tdy.

The way some of these MPs frm this coalition of CPM, Trinamool n Cong conducted thmselves wth Dy Chairman n Marshals totally disgraceful 🤮🥵😡🤷🏻‍♂️#FarmersBill
— Rajeev Chandrasekhar 🇮🇳 (@rajeev_mp) September 20, 2020

The agricultural bills have faced strong protests from the opposition and from farmers, especially in north India, who say they will hurt their earnings but the government maintains that they will make it easier for farmers to sell their produce directly to big buyers.

Samjhe Or Not: Decoding Political Jargon