Farmers Movement Archive

Finger at Modi govt for death of protesting farmers

JAMSHEDPUR: State health and disaster management minister Banna Gupta has alleged the Centre was responsible for the death of 750 farmers while protesting against the three farm laws. He said the farmers who died during the agitation should be considered as martyrs. The kin of the deceased farmers must get adequate compensation along with a government job, he added. Gupta said nearly 10,000 cases filed against the protesting farmers should be immediately withdrawn. Hitting out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Gupta claimed the farmers don’t trust him and hence are not withdrawing their agitation even after the announcement on repeal of the three farm legislations. The minister said it is extremely shameful that people of the country do not trust the Prime Minister. Gupta alleged the lack of faith on the Prime Minister has increased over the years. He said Modi had promised to give jobs to 2 crore youths annually, which he could not fulfil in his first tenure nor in the second term which began in 2019. “The promise of bringing back all the black money kept offshore has also turned out to be a hoax,” he said. Taking a further dig at Modi, Gupta said after notebandi (demonetisation), the economy is in the doldrums and people are suffering. He said the Congress will stand behind the farmers in their agitation and fight for their rights. The minister claimed the Modi government was forced to repeal the three farm laws as pre-poll surveys by international agencies have suggested the BJP will lose in the Uttar Pradesh election early next year. “So as a last-minute effort to save their boat, they have taken the decision,” Gupta said.

The Times of India

2021-11-22

Jamshedpur