During his visit to Tamil Nadu to inaugurate the newly built Pamban bridge, Prime Minister Narendra Modi took a sharp swipe at the Opposition, indirectly targeting Chief Minister MK Stalin, accusing them of complaining “without any reason” despite substantial central funding for the state’s development.

Without directly naming Stalin, PM Modi dismissed the persistent criticism regarding fund allocations, delimitation concerns, and the three-language policy, pointing instead to what he described as an unprecedented increase in support from the Centre for Tamil Nadu’s infrastructure growth.

Rail and road allocations see massive rise post-2014

Highlighting the Centre’s investment in Tamil Nadu’s railways, PM Modi stated that before 2014, the annual budget for rail projects in the state was around ₹900 crore, but under the current government, it has risen to over ₹6,000 crore. He also noted that 77 railway stations across Tamil Nadu, including Rameswaram, are being modernised.

On road infrastructure, he added that approximately 4,000 kilometres of roads have been built in the state under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana over the past decade, signifying strong progress in connectivity, especially in rural areas.

Cultural and political tensions remain unaddressed

While the Prime Minister focused on infrastructure milestones, he avoided addressing CM Stalin’s criticism on delimitation and the three-language policy—issues that have remained flashpoints between the Centre and southern states. Stalin has repeatedly alleged that the Centre is attempting to politically weaken southern states and culturally impose Hindi, often pointing to education policy pressure and threats to funding as key examples.

PM Modi, however, took a different line of attack, questioning why state leaders sign official documents in English instead of Tamil, and challenged the state to introduce medical education in the Tamil language, positioning it as a test of cultural commitment.

The remarks have further escalated the ongoing Centre-state tensions, especially in the backdrop of regional concerns about federal autonomy, language imposition, and resource distribution.

Congress leader and Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi announced on Sunday that he will visit Begusarai, Bihar, on April 7 to participate in the “Roko Palayan, Do Naukri” campaign. He took to X to share his plans, inviting the youth of Bihar to join him in the Yatra.

In his message, he addressed the youth, saying, “I will be in Begusarai on April 7 to stand with you in the ‘Roko Palayan, Do Naukri’ campaign. Together, we will showcase the resilience and struggles of Bihar’s young generation.”

He also encouraged attendees to wear white t-shirts to amplify their message and pressure the Bihar government. “You too come wearing a White T-Shirt, ask questions, raise your voice – to put pressure on the government for your rights, to remove it,” he said.

Gandhi stressed the importance of voicing their concerns over pressing issues such as unemployment, inflation, job reductions, and the privatization policies that disadvantaged the youth.

“Let us together make Bihar a state of opportunities,” the former Congress president said.

He referred to the campaign as the “Palayan Yatra,” inviting participants to come in their white t-shirts to represent the passion of Bihar’s youth and advocate for their rights.

Earlier on April 5, Gandhi raised concerns about the recently passed Waqf Bill, now an act, claiming that it “attacks Muslims” and sets a dangerous precedent for targeting other communities in the future.

Gandhi shared an article on X that suggested the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) has redirected its focus to land owned by the Catholic Church following the passage of the Waqf Bill.

“I had warned that the Waqf Bill targets Muslims now, but it paves the way for future attacks on other communities. The RSS wasted no time in shifting its attention to Christians,” Gandhi stated in reference to the article.

He emphasised the importance of the Constitution as the sole protector against such attacks, declaring, “It is our collective responsibility to defend it.” When the Lok Sabha passed the bill, Gandhi remarked, “This assault on the Constitution by the RSS, BJP, and their allies is directed at Muslims today, but it sets a precedent for future attacks on other communities.”

By Mohammad Javed Rasheedi

Jagjit Singh Dallewal, a prominent figure in the ongoing farmers’ protest, ended his indefinite hunger strike on Sunday after nearly five months. His fast, which began on November 26, 2024, had become a powerful symbol of the persistent demand for a legal guarantee on Minimum Support Price (MSP) and other pressing issues raised by protesting farmers across the country.

Dallewal, a senior leader from the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM), announced the end of his fast during a Kisan Mahapanchayat in Sirhind, Punjab’s Fatehgarh Sahib district. The announcement followed personal appeals by Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Union Minister of State for Railways Ravneet Singh Bittu, who urged Dallewal to prioritise his health and continue contributing to the movement through leadership and dialogue.

His hunger strike was part of the broader resurgence of farmers’ protests that gained momentum in late 2024, with fresh demands to the Centre—primarily for a legal MSP framework, compensation for protest casualties and withdrawal of pending cases from earlier agitations.

Protest pressure builds as talks with Centre resume

Though the Centre invited farmer leaders for dialogue in January, Dallewal refused to end his fast, even as he began receiving medical assistance at the Khanauri protest site. His decision to now step back from the hunger strike signals a shift from passive resistance to renewed engagement in negotiations, with the next round of talks between farmer unions and the Centre scheduled for May 4.

The end of Dallewal’s fast does not mark the end of the movement. The farmers’ protest remains active in various parts of Punjab, Haryana, and bordering areas of Delhi, with continued dharnas and mobilisations pressing the government to meet the core demands.

Union ministers, while expressing concern over Dallewal’s health, reiterated that discussions are ongoing and that the government is open to resolving issues through dialogue. Dallewal’s step is being seen by many within the movement as a strategic pause that allows the leadership to regroup and strengthen the push for results.

The hunger strike, which ran parallel to wider demonstrations and tractor marches, had become a rallying point for thousands of farmers. Its conclusion comes at a crucial moment, as farmer groups aim to maintain momentum and public pressure without compromising the health and safety of key leaders.