PM stresses on unity as farmers' protests get international attention

PM Modi said the Chauri Chaura incident was not just about a fire at a police station. "The fire was not just in the station but in the hearts of people," he said.

On February 4, 1922, a crowd of peasants had set a police station in Chauri Chaura on fire, killing 22 personnel.

This incident marked the end of Mahatma Gandhi's non-cooperation movement.

Drawing reference between the historical incident and today's times, PM Modi asserted that farmers have always played an important role in India's progress. They also did their bit in the Chauri Chaura incident, he added.

"In the last six years, steps have been taken to make farmers self-reliant. As a result of this, the agriculture sector has grown even during the pandemic," he went on.

Reiterating his government's stance that mandi system won't be abolished due to new reforms, he said, "We have taken several steps in the interest of farmers. To make mandis profitable for farmers, 1,000 more mandis will be linked to e-NAM."

The PM then said, "We have to pledge that the unity of the country is our priority and its respect above everything."

PM Modi's appeal comes days after the tweets of pop star Rihanna and Swedish climate-activist Greta Thunberg swiveled the international spotlight to the protests.

The Ministry of External Affairs had also released a statement, saying that the laws at the center of the agitation were passed in the Parliament.

It was also told to view the protest in the context of India's democratic values.