As the standoff between the Centre and the protesting farmers intensifies, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday, 4 February, said that unity of the nation is of utmost priority to the government.
Speaking at the inauguration of Chauri Chaura Centenary Celebrations via video conferencing, PM Modi said, “We have to pledge that the unity of the country is our priority, and its respect above everything. With this feeling, we have to move forward along with each and every person of India.”
His comments come in the backdrop of the Republic Day farmers’ tractor rally violence in Delhi, and the international condemnation of the government’s handling of the protests.
PM Modi added that farmers had an important contribution in the historic movement, and that his government has taken steps to make farmers more self-reliant.
“Farmers have been behind the progress of the country. They also played important role in the Chauri Chaura struggle. In the last six years, steps have been taken to make farmers self-reliant. As a result of this, agriculture sector has grown even during the pandemic,” PM Modi said, as quoted by ANI.
“We have taken several steps in the interest of farmers. To make mandis profitable for farmers, 1,000 more mandis will be linked to e-NAM,” he added.
Commenting on the recently presented Union Budget 2021, PM Modi said that budgets by the previous governments had announcements which could not be fulfilled.
PM Modi’s comments come as several international personalities, along with the US State Department, have expressed concern over the alleged curbs on freedom of expression and internet ban at farmers’ protest sites in Delhi.
Earlier on Thursday, around 15 Members of Parliament (MPs) from 10 Opposition parties, who had reached the Ghazipur Border to meet farmers protesting against the new farm laws, were reportedly stopped by the police from meeting the farmers.
(With inputs from ANI.)
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