Modi Govt trying to suppress voice of farmers: Rattan Lal Gupta

Warns Govt to consider farmers’ genuine demands without any further delay.

JAMMU Feb, 14^th : Rattan Lal Gupta, Provincial President, Jammu & Kashmir National Conference (JKNC), today launched a scathing attack on the Narendra Modi-led government at the Centre, accusing it of attempting to stifle the voices of the farmers amidst ongoing protests. He denounced the government’s actions, alleging a betrayal of promises made to farmers over the past decade.

In a hard hitting statement issued here today, the senior NC leader vigorously condemned the use of tear gas and the detention of farmers instead of addressing their legitimate grievances, particularly regarding the Minimum Support Price (MSP). He criticized the deployment of barbed wires and iron nails at protest sites, equating it to an authoritarian attempt to suppress dissenting voices. 

Gupta emphasized that instead of engaging in meaningful dialogue and addressing the concerns raised by the agricultural community, the government has resorted to repression and coercion.

“The actions taken by the BJP-led Central government against farmers exercising their democratic right to protest are reprehensible and unacceptable. Using tear gas and incarcerating peaceful demonstrators is a clear violation of their fundamental rights and undermines the democratic fabric of our nation,” he added.

The Provincial President anguished that more than 700 farmers lost their lives, yet despite this harrowing toll, the government remains unwilling to provide Minimum Support Price (MSP) to the farmers. He asserted that this stark reality underscores the deep-seated injustices and neglect faced by the agricultural community, whose livelihoods are at stake. 

Highlighting broken promises, Rattan Lal Gupta cited the government’s failure to fulfill commitments such as doubling farmers’ income by 2022 and granting legal status to the Minimum Support Price. He lamented the lack of dialogue between the government and farmers, stressing the need for the Central Government to engage with farmers and address their concerns earnestly.

“The Modi government’s decade-long tenure will be remembered as a period of relentless hardship inflicted upon farmers. The transformation of Delhi into a fortress to silence the voices of our food providers reflects the cruelty of the BJP government,” he said.

Gupta reiterated the National Conference’s unwavering support for the farmers’ demand for fair MSP and urged the government to engage in sincere dialogue to resolve this serious issues otherwise ready to face the consequences in the upcoming Parliamentary polls in the country. 

“J&K National Conference stand in solidarity with the farmers in their struggle for justice and dignity. It is incumbent upon the government to heed their demands and work towards a constructive resolution that upholds the principles of fairness and equity,” he added.