Targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi over Meghalaya Governor Satyapal Malik’s claim that Mr. Modi was arrogant over the farm laws and the death of farmers during the anti-farm law protests, the Congress on Monday said the Prime Minister should apologise to the farmers and immediately constitute the committee to legally guarantee minimum support price (MSP).
At a press conference, party chief spokesperson and general secretary Randeep Surjewala said the Governor’s reported conversation with Mr. Modi reveals the “anti-farmer and insensitive face of the Prime Minister, the BJP and the Modi government”.
“If Governor Satya Pal Malik is lying, please sack Governor Malik today and register an FIR against him. And if he is not lying, then Prime Minister Modi must come forward, [Home Minister] Amit Shahji must come forward and apologise to India’s toiling farmers and farm labourers. Otherwise, they will never pardon you,” Mr. Surjewala said.
He demanded that the Narendra Modi government should announce compensation for the next of the kin of the 700 farmers who died and a government job, withdraw every single criminal case registered in States like Uttar Pradesh and Haryana and constitute the committee to decide the compulsory MSP architecture within 24 hours.
“You can no longer remain quiet Mr. Prime Minister. You can no longer remain mum. Otherwise, it would be proven that your government works only for a handful of crony capitalists and it is arrogant, insensitive and intemperate vis-a-vis the demands of the toiling farmers and farm labourers.”
Mr. Surjewala also questioned the government over reports that Chinese troops had unfurled their flag at the Galwan valley on the first day of the New Year.
“Mr. Prime Minister, the entire country and the world want to know how the Chinese unfurled their flag in Galwan valley and wrote in Chinese language that they will not give an inch of land back. How dare China raise the Chinese flag over Galwan valley, where only the tri-colour can be flown, unfurled proudly.”
He said, “It is the bounden duty of our government and Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi to ensure that the Chinese transgression into India’s territories is defeated decisively.”
