Modi tries to placate Indian farmers protesting new laws
NEW DELHI (AP) — Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi tried to placate thousands of farmers protesting new agriculture laws Monday and said they were being misled by opposition parties and that his government would resolve all their concerns. “The new agricultural laws have been brought in for benefit of the farmers. Reforms are being done in the interest of farmers, which will give them more options,” Modi said during a rally in his political constituency of Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh state.
Modi's remarks came amid the biggest farmer protests in years. The thousands of farmers who are protesting the recently passed farm laws have blocked highways and hunkered down on the outskirts of India’s capital. The farmers say the new laws could cause the government to stop buying grain at guaranteed prices and result in their exploitation by corporations that would buy their crops cheaply.
The government says the legislation brings about much needed reform that will allow farmers the freedom to market their produce and boost production through private investment.
During the rally, Modi dismissed the farmers' fears as misplaced and blamed opposition parties for spreading rumors.
“The farmers are being misled on these historic agriculture reform laws by the same people who for decades have misled them,” Modi said, referring to opposition parties who have called the laws anti-farmer and pro-corporation. “Our intentions are as holy as the water of river Ganga.”
Rahul Gandhi, the leader of the main opposition Congress party, accused Modi of crony capitalism and said the laws would benefit corporations.
“Our farmers are standing up against the black laws and have reached Delhi leaving their farms and families behind. Do you want to stand with them or with Modi’s...
