In deciding to repeal the three farm laws, Prime Minister Narendra Modi once again emerges as a leader who, while defying all odds, continues to appear bolder, more courageous and much more liberally accommodative in his approach. As a true democrat, he has always respected the values of democracy not only in letter but also in spirit. The decision, which may be seen from various angles—with detractors interpreting it through their own political lens, has in fact enhanced his stature as the tallest leader in the country, who, when the occasion demands, rises to break any deadlock with his human touch. As a leader who listens, cares and empowers the weakest among the weak and maintains restraint in the face of extreme provocation, he has become the Pradhan Sevak of the country in a real sense, keeping interests of the nation on the highest pedestal. On several occasions, he has exemplified the best in practising the dictum of ‘nation first, party next and self last’. The commitment to principles of democracy shows another unique aspect of the PM’s personality—he believes in democratic redistribution of national resources at the government’s disposal through various welfare measures, in the interest of the downtrodden and the deprived.
Even his worst critics cannot dispute the fact that the PM had farmers, agriculture sector and rural India in focus, in his quest for all-round development of the nation. Never before has there been a leader who could publicly declare a target of doubling farmers’ income with a deadline, and set his heart on revolutionising the agriculture sector, while creating a new ecosystem. While the agriculture sector was earlier seen as a liability for the nation and was left to fend for itself, the PM committed to transform it into an asset. Not only has the agriculture budget risen by around 5.5 times under the Modi government, but Rs 1.62 lakh crore has also been transferred to accounts of over 11 crore farmers. Farmers across the nation have received over Rs 1 lakh crore in compensation under the broad-based crop insurance scheme, and are availing a pension scheme for the first time in India’s history. Apart from doubling allocations in micro irrigation and crop loans, his government has enhanced the MSP of various foodgrains to 1.5 times of the investment, and brought many new crops under its umbrella, while breaking all records in procurement. The result of innumerable innovative initiatives like neem-coated urea, unprecedented support to farmers by heavily subsidising DAP and other fertilisers, issuing soil health cards, extension of Kisan Credit Card, extra focus on allied agricultural activities, allocation of Rs 1 lakh crore to develop agri-infrastructure, e-NAM, creation of 10,000 FPOs and others can be seen in record agricultural output even during the Covid-19 pandemic. The goal was clear right from the beginning—to give huge impetus to the agriculture sector, aimed at improving lives of farmers, villagers, the poor and the rural. The three farm bills were part of the same transformative agenda, aimed at creating a much-needed policy framework in the agriculture sector, with a vision of robust agricultural growth in the interest of small and marginal farmers of the country.
It would be untrue to argue that more discussions were required before the farm bills were passed in Parliament. These reforms were discussed for long in the country, what with various farmer leaders, experts, agricultural scientists, economists and political parties advocating these steps on various fora from time to time, to protect the interests of the small and marginal farmers. It was the reason that many among those who opposed these reforms later, had in fact initially demanded and backed them in Parliament, and had welcomed their passage. The kind of unreasonable and intransigent approach shown by a section of farmer leaders cannot absolve the Congress-led Opposition from charges of playing murky politics on the issue of these crucial reforms, and from acting against the interests of small and marginal farmers.
The hitherto prevailing Congress-Communist model of democracy in the country had people ‘ruled’ by the elected dispensation, Opposition was brutalised, protests were crushed with an iron hand, dissenting voices strangled, Emergency imposed to crush dissent, with various Congress governments in the states ordering or allowing the law keepers to open fire on protesters now and then, along with its Communist allies—who oversaw gruesome brutalities in Marichjhapi, Nandigram and Singur. The manner in which the 42nd amendment bill was passed in Parliament, when the entire Opposition was in jail, and which required a General Election and electoral defeat of the Congress to overturn—cannot be erased from the memory of the nation. Who can forget the manner in which Opposition governments in the states were dismissed, Supreme Court judges put under pressure to give judgments favourable to the ruling party, the Opposition was humiliated and their leaders incarcerated, press was censored, constitutional institutions were undermined and all forms of protests were crushed, during various Congress regimes?
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In contrast, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has ushered in a model of democracy based upon respecting dissenting voices and the Opposition, accommodating them in larger national interests, listening to them while practising extreme forms of restraint and tolerance. Under his leadership, the nation is now witnessing cooperative federalism, wherein state governments ruled by Opposition get a helping hand from the PM and support and cooperation for the welfare of the people, while the PM considers it his democratic duty to respond to even a small section of farmers by announcing the repeal of the farm laws, that too, when he enjoys an unassailable and massive electoral majority. The manner in which long-lasting road blockades and the Lal Qila incident on Independence Day were handled, speaks volumes of the Prime Minister’s exceptional faith in democratic values of restraint and tolerance.
As a selfless leader committed to the cause of the poor, the downtrodden, the oppressed and the deprived, the Prime Minister has created a new paradigm of politics entailing unparalleled service, complete dedication and extraordinary sense of duty, which was witnessed during his remarkable handling of the Covid-19 pandemic, and in achieving the target of 100 crore vaccinations in record time. It has won him millions of hearts across the nation, as his unquestionable commitment to national interest, unflinching faith in democratic culture, its principles and spirit, and his commitment to ‘Antyodaya’, makes him an amazingly humane, democratic, credible and trustworthy leader who also believes in democratically redistributing the country’s resources for the benefit of the poorest of the poor. Today, while an aspiring nation expects more and more from him, Narendra Modi keeps exceeding their expectations with his inspiring vision, strong political will to deliver, and unbelievable performance at every level.
(Views expressed are personal)
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Dr. Shiv Shakti Bakshi is Executive Editor, Kamal Sandesh
