Farmers' protests denting India's image, says H.D. Kumaraswamy

Bengaluru: Former chief minister and JD(S) leader H.D. Kumaraswamy here on Saturdaystated that the protest against the three farm legislations attracted international attention and requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi to ensure that India's reputation should not be dented either by the laws or by the protests against them.

"Close on the heels of concern expressed by the Canadian Prime Minister, parliamentarians from the US and Britain too have expressed their concern about the episode. The farmers' agitations have created an impression that some trouble is brewing in India.

It is my sincere wish that the reputation earned by India at the international level and its image should not be dented by the new farm legislations as well as the protests against them," he said.

Kumaraswamy stated that the protests may put the reputation of the PM at stake but added that the farmers too shouldn't suffer inconvenience. "Instead of the approach of sending an indirect message to protesting farmers through its programmes, the Centre should hold a decisive meeting under the leadership of the Prime Minister to end the farmers' protest. This is inevitable in the interest of protecting the country's dignity. Of course, I am sure that Mr. Modi will act very cautiously when it comes to the country's dignity. Let the problem be solved at the earliest," the former CM said.

Kumaraswamy opined that the remarks of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on allowing an experimental implementation of the new farm legislations raised hopes. Singh promised that the farm legislations would be withdrawn if they proved harmful to the interests of farmers.

"I think farmers too should give a thought in this regard.

For quite some time there has been a strong public opinion that Indian agricultural sector is caught in a vicious circle. It is very much necessary on our part to be ready for any experiment if it can bring about welfare of the farm sector by rescuing it from the vicious circle," Kumaraswamy said.

However, he was of the view that farmers should have an open mind towards "experimenting" with the legislations. "But there has to be proper coordination between the Centre and the protesters," he stated.