In the context of the continued farmers’ unrest in Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday defended both Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Devendra Fadnavis, by saying that both are “sensitive Chief Ministers” and that they are working hard to find a solution to the agrarian crises in their respective States.
“Yes. There is some crisis now (in both the States). But the Chief Ministers of both Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra are handling the agrarian crisis in a most sensitive manner. I am also a farmer. I appeal to farmers earnestly to cooperate with our Chief Ministers. Both the Chief Ministers have said that they would find a solution to the farmers’ issues,” Rajnath said.
Addressing a news conference called to list out the achievements of the Narendra Modi-led Government during the last three years, Rajnath said here “All I can say to farmers is that our Government will not do any such thing that would erode the confidence of farmers or common people in other walks of life.”
Replying to a question, Rajnath said that some vested interests did instigate disturbances in Madhya Pradesh. “My information is that some vested interests tried to instigate disturbances in Madhya Pradesh. ... It is but natural that farmers face difficulties at times. We will definitely address the problems of farmers. As far as the firing by the police on farmers is concerned, the Chief Minister there has ordered an inquiry. let’s wait for the report. The Centre will give whatever help that is needed by the State Government”.
Contesting a question posed by a journalist, who wanted to know as to why the BJP had chosen to celebrate three years of the Narendra Modi Government when the farmers — upset with the government’s failure to address their issues — had gone on an agitation in Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra, Rajnath asked “What is the celebrationIJ Are we beating any drums hereIJ”
“Are there not problems in developed countriesIJ Tell me which country even a super power does not have a problemIJ Yes there is a problem ( in Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra). We are sorting it out. We are not holding any such celebration. We are not hosting lunches and dinners,” the Minister elaborated.
Asked as to how did he account for the suicides by seven farmers in Maharashtra during the last couple of days, Rajnath said “We have inherited certain things as legacy. Within 15 to 20 years after independence, the condition of farmers should have improved, but it did not happen. Our Prime Minister has all along laid emphasis on agriculture and farmers. If he did not have concern for farmers, why he did say that the farmers’ income would be doubled by 2022IJ Had any Prime Minister made such an announcement in the pastIJ That only means that our Government is sensitive to the problems of farmers”
“We are committed to transforming the country. We want to transform the lives of farmers first,” the Minister said.
When his attention was drawn to news reports about Union Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh doing yoga with yoga guru Ramdev at a public function in Bihar’s Motihari amid the farmers’ agitations in Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra, Rajnath said “The State Governments are handling things. Addressing farmers’ issues is the primary responsibility of the State Governments”.
A somewhat uncomfortable Rajnath parried a question on whether the Modi Government would bring back Dawood Ibrahim back to India during its current tenure in office as promised by the BJP. “Dawood will definitely be brought back to India. leave the matter at that. We are making all efforts,” he said.