Repeal of three farm laws shows Modi's sensitivity towards Sikhs: BJP

NEW DELHI: The BJP on Friday said that prime minister Narendra Modi’s announcement to repeal the three farm laws on the auspicious occasion of Parkash Purab of Guru Nanak Dev Ji is in sheer contrast with the early 1980’s when the Sikh community had grievances but were met with the full might of the Indian state under the personal supervision of the then prime minister Indira Gandhi.
“Without proper planning, the Golden Temple became a war zone in the 1980s.
In contrast, PM Modi withdrew the farm bills on the Parkash Purab. The BJP has a powerful majority in both Houses of Parliament. It controls a large majority of states as well. Yet, the Prime Minister has taken a decision because it was clear that there were still a small number of people who were opposing the farm laws and did not see the good that was to come out of it,” a senior BJP leader said, urging anonymity as the party's official statement was yet to follow.
Saying that the prime minister has taken the more democratic and statesmanlike approach, the BJP leader said the farmer’s movement was being explored by vested interest groups who wanted to use this movement to weaken India.
“It was giving those who support Khalistan, Pakistan ISI network and other such groups the fodder to internally weaken India. PM Modi is clear that nothing comes before the unity and integrity of India,” the BJP leader said and added, "Nothing that weakens our strategic interests should be allowed to continue.”
He said through the last year, the Government of India made several attempts to defuse the crisis and Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar held several rounds of talks.
The matter went to the Supreme Court of India and the Government was willing to keep the laws on hold for two years.
“Yet, when it finally did not work the Government took this decision,” the BJP leader said.
Party sources said the decision once again reflects that Modi is very sensitive to the feelings of the Sikh community.
“A few days back, on the request of many Sikh community members, the Kartarpur corridor was opened again. On the Parkash Purab of Guru Nanak, the farm laws were repealed,” the BJP leader maintained.
He said Modi has spent a few years in Punjab and Chandigarh doing political work, where he developed a close bond with the Sikh community.
“As CM of Gujarat, he has taken a personal interest in repairing Lakhpat Gurudwara in Kutch which was destroyed due to the Earthquake of 2001.
350th Parkash Purab of Guru Gobind Singh Ji and the 550th Parkash Purab or Guru Nanak Ji were marked with great enthusiasm by the Modi Government,” the leader recalled.
A BJP leader recalled that in 2021, the 400th Parkash Purab of Guru Tegh Bahadur was also marked despite the COVID restrictions.
PM Modi has visited Gurudwaras in Delhi and mingled with ordinary people.
“PM Modi will never let the Sikh community down as recently, Sikhs were rescued from Afghanistan and their Holy Books were also brought back with dignity,” the BJP leader recalled.