Small and marginal farmers to benefit from agriculture laws, says Modi

Lucknow: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday asserted that the new farm reforms will benefit small and marginal farmers, and that farmers themselves have been exposing those spreading false information against agri laws.

While laying the foundation stone for a statue of warrior king Suheldev in Uttar Pradesh’s Bahraich district via video conferencing, he also said that his government was trying to rectify the “mistakes” of previous regimes that did not honour deserving warriors and leaders.

Hitting out at the opposition, he said those who had made laws for bringing foreign companies are now creating fear in the name of national companies.

The farmers are themselves exposing those spreading false information regarding the farm laws, he said.

The new farm reforms will benefit small and marginal farmers and good experiences have come from Uttar Pradesh after the new laws, he said.

The prime minister’s remarks come amid the continuing stir by farmers on Delhi borders against the new three agri laws.

Modi, who unveiled through video conferencing various projects for beautification of Shravasti, Chittora Lake and Bahraich, said the contribution of Maharaja Suheldev has not been given due importance in history books but he lives in the hearts of the people.

“Though Maharaja Suheldev’s contribution was not given due recognition in history books, he has always been alive as a development-oriented ruler who worked with sensitivity through the ‘lok gathas’ (folklores) of Avadh, Terai and Purvanchal,” Modi said.

In his 30-minute speech, Modi accused previous governments of not honouring deserving leaders like Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and B R Ambedkar.

He said the history of Bharat is not just what has been written by those having the mentality of slavery. It is also imbibed in the common people through ‘lok gathas’.

As the country is entering the 75th year of its Independence, it is the time to remember their contribution, their sacrifice and take inspiration from them, he said.

“It is unfortunate that those who sacrificed their lives for saving Bharat and ‘Bharatiyata’ were not given their place that they deserved. Today’s India is rectifying the injustice done in the name of writing history with those who created history. Ridding the country of the past mistakes,” the prime minister said.

Giving examples, he asked if Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, who was the first prime minister of Azad Hind government or his Azad Hind Fauj’s contribution, was given due recognition.

“Today from the Red Fort to Andaman Nicobar, we have strengthened his identity before the country and the world,” he said.

He also referred to Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel, recalling his contribution in uniting smaller states in the country after Independence, and said what was done with him is known to even children of the country.