Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar on Tuesday questioned Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan about the government’s handling of agitating farmers, particularly regarding promises made during past protests. Speaking at an event in Mumbai, Dhankhar emphasized the importance of addressing the ongoing issues farmers face.
He asked Chouhan, “When farmers were protesting at the Delhi-Noida border, did the previous Agriculture Minister give any written promises to them? If so, why weren’t they kept?” The Vice President warned the government not to test the patience of farmers, stressing that no force could suppress their voices. He questioned why the government hadn’t yet engaged in direct discussions with farmers, expressing concern over the situation.
Citing Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s efforts to unify India, Dhankhar reminded Chouhan of the responsibility he carried as the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development. He called for addressing the concerns of farmers through dialogue, much like Patel had unified the nation. Dhankhar noted that the country’s image would suffer if such protests continued, stressing that the government must take farmers’ concerns seriously.
The Vice President expressed worry over the ongoing farmers’ protests at various borders, including the Delhi-Noida and Haryana-Punjab borders. Thousands of farmers, demanding a fair Minimum Support Price (MSP), have intensified their protests. They are preparing to march toward Delhi on December 6 to escalate their demands.