In Haryana, Modi compares Chhotu Ram with Sardar Patel
After unveiling a 64ft statue of the peasant leader, Modi hails his contribution to farm reforms; slams successive governments at the Centre for confining his legacy to Haryana
GARHI-SAMPLA (ROHTAK): In an apparent attempt to woo farmers and Jat voters ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday hailed the contribution of peasant leader Sir Chhotu Ram and compared him with Sardar Patel.
“Both were great farmer leaders and had done a lot for the welfare and unity of the farming community,” Modi said while addressing a public meeting after unveiling a 64-ft statue of Sir Chhotu Ram in his native village here.
The legendary leader was maternal grandfather of Union steel minister Birender Singh
“It is a great honour for me that I got an opportunity to unveil the statue of Sir Chhotu Ram today and on October 31, I will unveil world’s tallest statue of Sardar Patel,” he said.
“At the time of Partition, Sardar Patel had said that If Chhotu Ram was alive, I would not have to worry about Punjab. This reflects Chhotu Ram’s impact at the national level, ” Modi said adding that even the British had accepted him as a big leader.
Highlighting the peasant leader’s efforts for the welfare of farmers, he said Chhotu Ram had taken several steps for revenue reforms, marketing and minimum support price for crops, besides, working towards strengthening the small and agro industry. Significantly, these works were done even before Independence, he added.
“Chakravarti Rajagopalachari had once said that Chhotu Ram not only know how to set high aims, but knew how to achieve these,” he said.
The PM also accused the successive governments at the Centre of confining the legacy of pre-independence leader to Haryana.
“Desh ke bahut se logon ko to yeh tak nahi pata hoga ke Bhakra dam ki asli soch bhi Chaudhary Sahib ki hi thi (A majority of people in the country may not be knowing that Chaudhary Sahib was the brainchild behind the Bhakra dam. He had signed the agreement with the King of Bilaspur for setting up of the dam,” he said.
“Knowing about Chhotu Ram is the right of everybody, but I am surprised that such a big leader was kept confined to a particular area and people in the other parts of the country were deprived of his teachings..”
Modi said the NDA government is working towards honouring such people who dedicated their life for the country.
He said the NDA government is following the path of Chhotu Ram by running several farmer welfare schemes.
“We have launched Pradhan Mantri Anndata Avm Surksha Abhiyan to ensure that farmers get remunerative prices for their crops,” he said adding that that MSPS of almost all crops were increased.
In his 28-minute speech, Modi focused on the contribution of Chhotu Ram and described him as social reformer, ‘Kisano ki awaaj’ (voice of farmers), ‘Kisano Ka Masiha’ (messiah of peasants) and ‘Rehbar-e-azam’ (great leader). He said there is need to make more efforts to realise dreams of Chhotu Ram. Modi also visited a museum built here in Chhotu Ram’s memory and watched a small documentary on his life.
NARENDRA MODI , Prime Minister
GARHI-SAMPLA RENAMED AS CHHOTU RAM NAGAR
Meanwhile, the prime minister also renamed Garhi-sampla as Chhotu Ram Nagar.