In a sharp critique of the government, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar has questioned the unfulfilled promises made to farmers, highlighting their ongoing distress despite India’s global achievements. Speaking at an event in Mumbai alongside Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Dhankhar called for urgent dialogue with the protesting farmers and emphasized the consequences of neglecting their concerns.

Key Remarks by the Vice President

Farmers in Distress Amid Global Achievements: Dhankhar expressed dismay that while India’s global reputation is soaring, its farmers continue to face severe challenges.

Dialogue Missing: The Vice President criticized the lack of communication between the government and farmers, asking, “Why is there no dialogue with the farmers? Why has this initiative not happened so far?”

Sardar Patel Parallel: Drawing a parallel to Sardar Patel’s efforts in unifying India, Dhankhar urged Chouhan to address farmers’ issues with the same urgency, calling it “no less significant than the unity of the nation.”

Warning Against Patience Being Tested: Dhankhar warned against testing the patience of farmers, stating, “No force in the country can suppress the voice of the farmer. A nation will pay a huge price if it tries the patience of a farmer.”

Farmers’ Protests Intensify

The Vice President’s comments coincided with escalating protests:

Delhi-Noida Border Protests: Thousands of farmers from Uttar Pradesh gathered at the Delhi-Noida border after their march to Delhi was blocked. They demanded resolution of issues such as land compensation and threatened to resume their march if their concerns were not addressed within a week.

MSP Legalization March: Farmers from Haryana and Punjab, who have been protesting since February for the legalization of Minimum Support Price (MSP), announced a march to Delhi on foot starting December 6.

Agriculture Minister’s Response

While Shivraj Singh Chouhan acknowledged the importance of farmers in India’s economy, stating, “A glorious, prosperous India cannot be built without its cultivators,” he refrained from addressing the ongoing protests directly.

The Vice President’s remarks have intensified focus on the government’s handling of farmer-related policies and protests. Dhankhar’s call for dialogue underscores growing concerns that neglecting farmers’ grievances could have significant social and political repercussions.

As farmers across the country prepare to intensify their protests, the government faces mounting pressure to address their demands and ensure timely intervention to prevent further unrest.