PM urges kisan to end protest and invites them for talks to sort out their problems, assures MSP will remain in place, slams Congress for taking U-turn on farm reforms
Reaching out to the protesting farmers, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday assured them Minimum Support Price (MSP) will remain in place and reiterated the Government’s willingness to hold talks.
Urging them to end their ongoing agitation, he also questioned the Opposition, especially the Congress, for taking a “U-turn” on farm reforms. Making these assertions in the Rajya Sabha, Modi also referred to former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s backing to reforms in agriculture sector.
Explaining his Government’s stance on the farm laws while replying to a discussion on the President’s address, the Prime Minister also expressed concern over foreign elements trying to foment trouble.
He said a new phenomenon has emerged over the past few years wherein “Foreign Destructive Ideology” was evident in the country. He quipped this was the new kind of FDI in obvious reference to singer Rihanna, activist Greta Thunberg and lawyer-author Meena Harris, niece of US Vice President Kamala Harris, backing the farmers’ stir.
“The nation is making progress and we are talking about FDI but I see that a new FDI has come to the fore. We have to protect the nation from this new FDI. We need Foreign Direct Investment but the new FDI is ‘Foreign Destructive Ideology’, we have to protect ourselves from it,” the Prime Minister said.
He also criticised a section of people seen in every agitation in the country and said, “In the last few years, we have witnessed a new category of protesters, “Andolan Jeevi”, who one can witness in every agitation. We need to protect this country from these Andolan Jeevi, who are actually “parjeevi”. They don’t have their own strength, but they join all agitations.”
Observing that the farmers’ agitation figured prominently during the 15-hour discussion on the President’s address, Modi said the Opposition, however, did not mention about the basic facts of the laws and roots of the problem.
Urging the farmers to end their protest, he said, “We will all sit together and talk. We are ready for talks and I am inviting you again for dialogue from this House.”
In an effort to allay the apprehension of the farmers about the MSP, Modi said “MSP tha, MSP hai aur MSP rahega. No one should spread misinformation.”
Highlighting the need for new farm laws to improve the income and living standard of the farmers, the Prime Minister said he was willing to take the brunt if it meant pushing reforms that were long overdue.
He said, “We need to move forwards, not backwards. We need to give these reforms a chance.”
Stressing the fact that the number of marginal farmers had increased over the years and the country had a responsibility to better their lot, Modi said every Government had spoken in favour of reforms in the agriculture sector. However, they have now taken a “U-turn”, said Modi, apparently referring to the Congress and Sharad Pawar, who was Agriculture Minister during the Congress-led UPA rule.
“It’s fine that you (Opposition) are attacking the Government on the protests but you should have also told the farmers that change is necessary for development.”
He quoted Manmohan Singh, commenting that “at least they (Opposition) will listen to him if not me” on reforms.
“Manmohan ji is here, I will read his quote - “There are other rigidities because of marketing regime set up in the 1930s which prevent our farmers from selling their produce where they get the highest rate of return. It is our intention to remove all those handicaps which come in the way of India realising its vast potential as one large common market,” the Prime Minister quoted Manmohan Singh as saying.
Modi added, “Manmohan Singh ji had made his intentions clear, to give farmers the freedom to sell their produce, and have just one market. And we are doing it now. “
Modi said the Agriculture Minister was holding constant dialogue with farmers and there was no tension as both the sides were trying to understand each other.
“We are ready to remove shortcomings. I assure you that Mandis will be modernised. Cheap ration given to over 80 crore people will continue. Please do not try to spread misinformation. We also need to strengthen means to increase the incomes of farmers,” he also said.
The Prime Minister had a dig at Leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad. Stating that Azad had praised the Government for holding local elections in Jammu & Kashmir recently, Modi said, “I believe your party will take it in right spirit, and not make the mistake of doing opposite by listening to suggestions of G-23.” It was in obvious reference to a term for a group of 23 in the Congress who wrote to party chief Sonia Gandhi last year demanding changes in the organisation.
Azad was one of the signatories to that letter. Incidentally, Azad’s term as a Rajya Sabha member will end in the next few days as he retires.