Be proud, Modi is implementing Manmohan's dream, says PM in Rajya Sabha as he promises MSP will continue

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday appealed to protesting farmers to end their agitation against the new farm laws even as he questioned Opposition parties for their sudden “U-turn” on the agriculture sector reforms. The prime minister also hit out at those behind the protests, saying a new “breed” of agitators called “andolan jeevi” has emerged in the country who cannot live without agitation and the nation should guard against them. _**Follow LIVE Updates on Parliament here**_   He also said a new FDI (Foreign Destructive Ideology) has come up in the nation and “we need to be more aware to save the country from such ideology”.   Questioning opposition for their “U-turn” on agriculture reforms, Modi quoted his predecessor Manmohan Singh on the need for reforms in the farm sector. “Manmohan ji is here, I will read out his quote. Those taking a U-Turn (on farm laws) will perhaps agree with him. ‘There are other rigidities because of marketing regime set up in 1930s which prevent our farmers from selling their produce where they get highest rate of return. It is our intention to remove all those handicaps which come in the way of India realising its vast potential at one large common market,’” Modi said in Rajya Sabha. Modi also stressed that India is very proud of the contribution of Sikhs and the language used by some for them will not benefit the country. He alleged that some people are also trying to defame Sikhs. “This is a community that has done so much for the nation. The country takes pride in the contribution of Sikhs, but some people are trying to defame them. The words and blessings of the Guru Sahibs are precious. The language used by some for them will not benefit the country,” he said, replying to the Motion of Thanks on the President’s address in the Rajya Sabha. On the farm sector and the ongoing protest, Modi said, “MSP was there. MSP is there. MSP will remain in the future. Affordable ration for the poor will continue. Mandis will be modernised”. “I invite you to come forward and solve the problems of the agriculture sector by making those protesting against the laws to understand the reforms…Let’s move forward together,” he said. He said the agriculture minister has been holding constant dialogue with farmers and has held several meetings with them and there is no tension yet, as both sides are trying to understand each other. “We urge those sitting on the agitation that even though it is their right to agitate, the manner in which the old people are sitting there, is not right. They (agitators) should be taken back. They should end the agitation and we will together find a solution as all doors are open for dialogue. From this House, I again invite them for dialogue,” he said while appealing to farmers to end their agitation. “We should move forward and not take the country behind. All the opposition and the government, protesters should give these reforms a chance and see if this change helps them. We are ready to remove shortcomings. “I assure you that Mandis will be modernised. Not just this, MSP was there, it is there and will remain. Cheap ration given to over 80 crore people will continue. Please do not try to spread misinformation. We also need to strengthen means to increase the incomes of farmers,” he also said. The prime minister admitted that there were problems in the agriculture sector and said everyone together has to find a solution to them. “I feel time cannot wait. Every law requires reforms as we are not ones living in a static state. We should all move together with good reforms,” he said. He noted that if “we delay the reforms further while sticking to our political preferences, we will usher the farmers towards darkness and we have to worry about it”. Modi said since 2014 his government has initiated changes in the agriculture sector aimed at empowering farmers. The crop insurance scheme was changed to make it more farmer-friendly. The PM-KISAN scheme was also brought in, he added.