Prime Minister Narendra Modi had on Thursday assured that India is committed to prioritizing farmers’ welfare and will never compromise on their interests.
File Photo: IANS
Congress leader Jairam Ramesh Friday criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his handling of farmer issues, accusing him of trying to portray himself as a champion of Indian farmers after being “hurt and subdued” by recent criticism from US President Donald Trump.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi had on Thursday assured that India is committed to prioritizing farmers’ welfare and will never compromise on their interests.
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Addressing the Swaminathan Centenary International Conference, PM Modi had said, “For us, the interest of our farmers is our top priority. India will never compromise on the interests of farmers, fishermen and dairy farmers.”
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In an apparent jibe at PM Modi, Jairam Ramesh recalled: “There was a time five years ago when in Parliament the PM mocked protesting farmers as being ‘andolanjeevi.’…… Over 700 farmers were martyred in the agitation against the three black anti-farmer laws and the PM had no word expressing pain or regret or sympathy.”
“The PM is totally silent on these demands, which had been voiced even by the former Vice President of India,” Ramesh said, claiming: “Now bruised and battered by the Trump onslaught, Mr. Modi is trying to portray himself as the great champion of Indian farmers. Nobody is fooled.”
The controversy dates back to 2020-21 when farmers protested against three farm laws, resulting in over 700 deaths. The farmers’ organizations are still demanding a legal guarantee for Minimum Support Price.
Ramesh also recalled the PM’s stance on the RCEP (Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership) trade agreement in 2019, which would have hurt Indian farmers and dairy producers. The Congress party and farmers’ organizations had forced the government to change its mind at the last minute, he said.
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