The farmers’ protest against the Centre’s farm laws entered Day 77 on Wednesday with the Opposition staging a walkout in the Lok Sabha and protesting farmer unions announcing a four-hour nationwide ‘rail roko’ (railway blockade) on February 18.

Samyukta Kisan Morcha, which is spearheading the protest, said from February 12, toll collection will not be allowed in Rajasthan and there will be a ‘rail roko’ protest across the country from 12 pm to 4 pm on February 18.

Agitating farmers have been protesting against the three laws that were enacted in September last year.

Also Read | After new farm laws no mandi has shut down, MSP hasn’t stopped: PM Modi

Meanwhile, Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said if voted to power her party would scrap them.

The Congress general secretary, while attending a ‘Kisan panchayat’ in Saharanpur, accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other BJP leaders of “insulting” farmers.

Defending the laws, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in Lok Sabha, said said the central government and the Parliament have great respect for the farmers who are voicing their views on the three farm bills and that is why top most ministers have been talking to them.

Replying in Lok Sabha to the discussion on the motion of thanks to the President’s address to the joint sitting of Parliament, Modi again allayed apprehensions on the farm laws, saying neither any agriculture ‘mandi’ (market) has shut down after the three laws were enacted nor has the MSP stopped, rather the MSP has only increased which no one can deny.

“This House, our government and we all respect farmers who are voicing their views on the farm bills. This is the reason why topmost ministers of the government are constantly talking to them. There is great respect for farmers.