NEW DELHI: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi lashed out at protesting farmers who stormed Delhi’s historic Red Fort on the country’s Republic Day, saying that they caused “insult” to the country.
“The country was saddened by the insult to the Tricolor (Indian flag) on the 26th of January in Delhi,” Modi said in his first public comments on a months-long farmers’ agitation that turned violent last week.
Narendra Modi further said the government was committed to modernising agriculture and is also taking many steps in that direction. Tens of thousands of farmers have camped on the outskirts of the capital for more than two months, protesting new agricultural laws they say benefit private buyers.
A tractor parade on Tuesday’s Republic Day turned violent when some protesters deviated from pre-agreed routes, clashing with police and breaking into the historic Red Fort complex in the capital.
Farmers’ unions say they were not responsible for Tuesday’s violence, which was caused by a minority of protesters. Meanwhile, the Indian government has left open the possibility that talks between the two sides will resume.
Modi told opposition party leaders on Saturday that an offer to freeze the laws for 18 months still stands, according to a government summary of the meeting.
On Saturday, police tightened security around the camps after cutting internet connections in the local areas, as thousands more farmers arrived at the sites to join the protests.
