India’s image has taken a huge beating; farmers won’t back down, govt will have to, says Rahul Gandhi

Former Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday hit out at the Modi government for converting farmers’ protest sites along Delhi’s border into virtual fortresses with barbed wire and concrete walls.

Saying that agriculture was a bright spot which the Modi government has destroyed, Rahul reiterated that the Modi government should withdraw the three farm laws.

“You may remember that our bright spot a few months ago was agriculture. The farmers worked, they saved India and you are destroying their lives. They are our backbone and you are killing them,” said Rahul.

“As far as I know the farmers... they will not back down. They will continue with their protests. In the end it is the government that will have to back down, and better they do that today. This situation is not good at all for the country,” he added.

Questioning Modi government for the meagre hike for defence in the budget Rahul said, “What kind of patriotism is it that our Army is braving the cold in Ladakh and you are not giving them enough resources? What kind of nationalism is this?”

In a reply to a question about celebrities and influential personalities supporting farmers’ protests, Rahul said that India’s image has taken a huge beating. “Not just in the way our farmers are being treated, but the way in which our citizens, our journalists are being treated. India’s soft power has been damaged by this government,” he said.

“Our biggest strength, you can call it soft power, has been shattered by the BJP-RSS, their mindset,” said Rahul.

Lakhs of farmers across India have been protesting since November 26 against the three farm laws enacted by the Modi government.