HANSE: Deputy Prime Minister Devi Lal recently appealed to farmers of India to devote their energies towards making India a “kisanistan” to defeat seccionist forces which were trying to divide the nation by demanding creation of Khalistan.

Addressing a huge public meeting here he said India was a land of farmers and no effort should be spared to make it a nation of farmers.

He said secessionist movements were hindering the growth of the nation and the worst sufferers in the process were the farmers. It was therefore necessary for the people to safeguard their own interests as well as those of the nation as a whole.

The present Government he said was making all efforts to bring the farmers to the mainstream. It had prepared an Rs 14000 crore scheme for the welfare of the farmers and the rural people The past Government had sacrificed the interests of the farmers and he would ensure that the gap created was filled soon.

The Deputy Prime Minister lashed out at Mr V.P.Singh and accused him of implementing the Mandal Commission report only to cover up his action in dismissing him (Devi Lal) from the Cabinet.

Mr Devi Lal said the capitalist dominated Press was still bent upon denigrating him because he was not taking care of the interests of industrialists. Instead he was concentrating on serving the rural and the poor people which was not to the liking of urban rich.

Article extracted from this publication >> February 1, 1991