Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday told a public rally in Assam that a “conspiracy” had been hatched to malign the image of Indian tea but did not reveal the identity of the “vested” forces.
He spoke about the alleged attack on Indian tea by vested forces abroad while dwelling on the contribution of the tea community, the welfare activities underway to ease their hardship, besides eulogising Assam tea, at the massive rally held at Dhekiajuli in Sonitpur district in poll-bound Assam.
“When I am talking about Assam’s tea workers today, I must also tell you about the ongoing conspiracy against our country, to defame our country. The conspirators are now not even sparing Indian tea. You must have heard in the news that they are trying to systematically tarnish the image of Indian tea, tarnish its image worldwide,” Modi said in one of Assam’s tea belts.
“The documents which have come to light reveal that vested forces sitting abroad are planning to attack India’s identity linked to its tea. Do you accept this attack on Indian tea? These conspirators who are planning to tarnish India tea... they will not be allowed to succeed and people will demand answers from these attackers and those who support them. Our tea workers will win this fight, these attacks on Indian tea. The conspirators do not have the strength to face the hard work of our tea garden workers,” Modi said.
He did not identify the conspirators but Modi seemed to have indirectly referred to tweets by foreign celebrities extending support to the ongoing farmers’ protest seeking the repeal of the three farm laws.
The Prime Minister dedicated a significant part of his speech on the tea community, which has decisive say in about 42 of the 126 Assembly constituencies in the state.
Addressing the rally at Dhekiajuli, which is known for its Quit India movement martyrs, Modi noted the centrality of tea gardens in the growth of Assam. India produces 1,255 million kg, of tea of which Assam contributes around 618.35 million kg.
“Crores of rupees were transferred to the accounts of 7.5 lakh workers of tea gardens under Dhan Puruskar Mela Scheme yesterday. Pregnant women are being helped by a special scheme. Special medical units are being sent to the gardens to take care of the workers’ health,” he said.
The Prime Minister, however, skirted the community’s long pending demands for a minimum daily wage and ST status.
He also stayed away from contentious issues such as the citizenship (Amendment) Act, implementation of the Assam accord and the NRC.
Congress counter
Senior Congress and tea community leader Paban Singh Ghatowar told the Telegraph that the Prime Minister should take “appropriate” action against the conspirators if the image of Indian tea had actually been tarnished.
Assam PCC media department chairperson Bobbeeta Sharma said that Modi’s statement on attack on Indian tea appeared to be a “riddle”. “Who is attacking the tea industry? Tea is our pride. The Prime Minister should clear the air,” Sharma said.
The Congress raised issues related to the tea community which were not touched by Modi.
Ghatowar, the president of the Assam Chah Mazdoor Sangha that is engaged in talks to fix the minimum daily wage for tea garden workers, said they were hoping that the Prime Minister would shed light on the demand for minimum daily wage and ST status.
“It was the government proposal to hike the daily wage to Rs 351 but nothing has happened so far. The state government now says it will notify the revised wage in 10 days We just hope it is done. The Prime Minister also did not say anything on the ST status. If the government is sincere about the welfare of the tea community, they should finalise the minimum daily wage and ST status,” Ghatowar said.
The Congress held a news conference addressed by MP Gaurav Gogoi and MLA Rupjyoti Kurmi to punch holes in the claims made by Modi.
