In a strong critique, prior to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s arrival to Wardha, on Friday (September 20, 2024) forwarded three questions for the BJP, which were based on the important issues like farmer suicides, Adivasi rights, and the ideological division between Mahatma Gandhi and Nathuram Godse.
Jairam Ramesh questions the BJP
Jairam Ramesh, the party’s general secretary in charge of communications, raised questions to highlight Congress party’s concerns over how BJP is handling these sensitive issues in Maharashtra.
The arrival of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday to Wardha will be followed by an honour to the first anniversary of PM Vishwakarma Scheme and inaugurate various development projects, which adds up a mega Textile Park in Amravati.
Mr. Ramesh stated that the State has been fighting with an enormous rise in farmer suicides – up to seven farmers died by suicide every day. According to Maharahtra’s Minister for Relief and Rehabilitation, last year, between January and October 2366 farmers took their own lives.
He posted on X that the reasons are very clear, 60% of districts last year went through drought conditions but there was no help on the part of the government. In more than half of the State, crops were damaged by unseasonal rains, there was an extension of loan waivers to the farmers, but 6.56 lakh farmers were excluded from this relief due to some glitches in softwares.
Picture credit: The Hindu
He emphasized on the party’s commitment to farmers, which adds up to a farm loan waiver and implementation of MSP as suggested by the Swaminathan Committee. Mr. Ramesh asked that in the era of this State- sponsored indifference the congress has been very consistent in their commitment towards farmers MSP as recommended by the Swaminathan Committee, a farm loan waiver with a Permanent Commission set to implement it easily, and settlement of all crop insurance claims in 30 days. What is the BJP’s vision to support Maharashtra’s and India’s farmers?
The Union Minister which was in action before also questioned BJP’s response to the crisis, asking about BJP’s take on the prevention of farmer suicides. He said that the State Government fell out to stay on promises, which includes the flawed implementation of loan waiver due to glitches in software, which excluded 6.56 lakh farmers without relief.
Ramesh criticized the ruling party
Moving on to the issues of the Adivasi rights, Mr. Ramesh criticised the ruling party’s poor implementation of the Forest Rights Act ( FRA), which was passed by the Congress in 2006 to make the Adivasis and forest- dwelling communities strong. As per his perceptions, only 52% of the individual claims under the FRA have been given and land titles for community rights covers only 23.5% of the eligible area. The BJP was blamed by him for interfering in the implementation of FRA, millions of Adivasis were left without their legitimate land resources.
He questioned the Prime Minister that what is the reason behind BJP letting Adivasis down in the Implementation of the Forest Rights Act.
Wardha is a town in Vidarbha region where Mahatma Gandhi lived holds deep symbolic significance in the struggle to preserve Gandhi’s ideals.
Mr. Ramesh highlighted what he describes as the BJP’s offensive approach on Gandhi’s legacy, emphasizing on instances where BJP leaders have literally mocked Gandhi or were sceptical to denounce Nathuram Godse, Gandhi’s assassin.
Picture credit: Mint
The Congress leader stated that Gandhi’s ideals were assaulted by the PM’s party. Few of the leaders went on abusing Mahatma and also ridiculed him. The congress leader also said that other BJP leaders were unable to choose between Godse and Gandhi. Many of the Gandhian institutions in the country from Akhil Bharat Sarva Sewa Sangh in Varanasi to the Sabarmati Ashram in Gujarat have faced demolition and were taken over by the RSS and its affiliates.
He said that, associates of theSarva Sewa Sangh in Varanasi are on a 100- day fast to protest the Government’s defected institution.
Mr. Ramesh questioned the PM that where does he stand between Gandhi and Godse. He further seek clarification from him on his stance on Gandhi’s values in the era of growing rhetoric that glorifies Godse.
