Those spreading canards that farmers will lose land will be defeated, Modi says, assures new farm laws will benefit kisan
Amid the continuing stand-off between his Government and the protesting farmers, demanding rollback of new farm laws, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday assured farmers that their land is “protected” and expressed confidence that “farmers across the country” would “teach a lesson” to the Opposition parties “misleading” them on the agriculture reforms initiated by the Centre.
“I am confident that when the honest intentions and efforts of Government are blessed by all farmers across the country… (then) the strength of it will defeat those misleading and making use of farmers for their own ends,” said the Prime Minister while inaugurating a project in Kutch, Gujarat.
Citing example of highly profitable dairy business in the Kutch region which he said is free from any Government control, the Prime Minister said Government likewise “does not intend to interfere in the agriculture related business.”
Modi, thereafter, went on to attack the Opposition which he said is “misleading farmers around Delhi that their land will be taken away by the traders”.
“Does any one take away the buffalo of dairy seller or the land of a fruit seller if you strike a contract (business)?” he asked seeking to dispel “doubts” of the agitating farmers that the traders will seize their lands in new contract system. The Prime Minister assured farmers that their land will remain “protected” and asked why foodgrain producers should not have a freedom that is available to those engaged in animal husbandry?
Modi said farmers have been demanding that foodgrain production should be freed from Government control and in the past Opposition parties too favoured farm reforms when they were in power at the Centre.
“Today same political parties have come together to mislead farmers…‘kisano ke kandhon per bandook chalan rare hain.’ I appeal to the farmers that Government is ready to remove all their doubts…”, said the Prime Minister saying his Government has been working to increase farmers’ agriculture produce and the income.
“Those spreading lies will be defeated by farmers and taught a lesson,” said Modi.
After the function, the Prime Minister interacted with a body of Sikh representatives and some farmers in Kutch.
The Prime Minister’s comments have made it clear that his Government would not scrap the new farm laws, which is the principal demand of the farmers, resulting in a deadlock and escalation of protests on the outskirts of the Delhi borders.
Wednesday, 16 December 2020 | PNS | New Delhi
