New Delhi: Congress leader Jairam Ramesh took a swipe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi for attempting to portray himself as a champion of Indian farmers, after being “hurt and subdued” by recent criticism from US President Donald Trump.

Ramesh recalled the 2020-21 farmers’ protests against the three farm laws, alleging that the Prime Minister mocked the agitators by calling them “protest enthusiasts” in Parliament. He claimed that over 700 farmers lost their lives during the protests, yet the Prime Minister expressed no regret or sympathy.

“Five years ago, there was a time when the Prime Minister, in Parliament, mocked the protesting farmers by calling them ‘protest enthusiasts.’ More than 700 farmers lost their lives during the protests against three black, anti-farmer laws, but not a single word of pain, regret, or sympathy came from the Prime Minister’s mouth for them. Farmer organizations are still demanding a legal guarantee for MSP, calculated by adding 50% profit to the total cost of production (C2), along with concrete debt relief. The Prime Minister remains completely silent on these demands, even though these same issues were raised by India’s former Vice President,” he posted on X.

“In November 2019, the Prime Minister was fully prepared to include India in the RCEP trade agreement, which could have caused significant harm to Indian farmers and dairy producers. However, due to persistent pressure from the Congress Party and farmer organisations, Prime Minister Modi had to back down at the last moment,” he added.

He further took a jibe, saying, “Now, hurt and subdued by Trump’s attacks, PM Modi is trying to present himself as the greatest champion of Indian farmers, but no one is under any illusion about this.”

On Thursday, in a message against the tariffs imposed by the United States, Prime Minister Narendra Modi asserted that farmers remain India’s top priority and that the country would never compromise their interests.

“For us, the interest of our farmers is our top priority. India will never compromise on the interests of farmers, fishermen and dairy farmers. I know we will have to pay a heavy price for it, and I am ready for it. India is ready for it,” PM Modi said while addressing the MS Swaminathan Centenary International Conference.

His remarks come amid the Trump administration doubling the tariff imposition to 50 per cent on goods from India. During trade negotiations, the United States was pushing for greater access to India’s agricultural market, especially for corn, soybeans, and cotton.

However, India has so far resisted the opening of the agricultural sector and dairy products due to concerns about domestic livelihoods and potential impacts on farmers.

Mumbai: A tragic road accident in Bhayandar, a few kilometres away from Mumbai, on Thursday claimed the lives of a couple after their two-wheeler skidded and they fell in front of a dumper while overtaking it. The husband died instantly, while his wife succumbed to injuries on the way to the hospital. A CCTV footage of the deadly crash has surfaced on the internet.

The deceased were identified as Nilesh Mali, 54, and his wife Manju, 50, residents of Uttan. According to police, the couple was travelling to Mira Road when the incident occurred on the Bhayandar West stretch towards Mira Road, near the Radhaswamy Satsang area. Nilesh attempted to overtake the dumper from the left side when he lost control, causing the two-wheeler to skid. Both fell onto the road directly in front of the heavy vehicle, which ran over them.

CCTV Captures Exact Moments Of Deadly Accident

Disturbing CCTV footage of the accident has surfaced online, showing the two-wheeler edging ahead of the dumper before losing balance. Within seconds, the couple was crushed under the vehicle’s wheels. In the video, onlookers can be seen rushing to help, with some urging the driver to reverse in a desperate attempt to free the victims. Manju was seen writhing in pain before she lost consciousness.

Passersby immediately alerted the police, who arrived at the spot shortly after. Locals detained the dumper driver and handed him over to the authorities. Nilesh sustained fatal head injuries and was declared dead at the scene. Manju, despite being rushed to a nearby hospital, could not survive the severe trauma.

Overtaking Led To Fatal Accident, Say Cops

A police officer stated that poor balance during the overtaking manoeuvre was the primary cause of the incident. “The two-wheeler skidded when Nilesh tried to overtake from the left. Both fell in front of the dumper, leading to the fatal runover,” the officer said, as quoted by Hindustan Times.

The police have booked the dumper driver under Section 106(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (culpable homicide not amounting to murder). The driver’s statement is being recorded and his vehicle has been seized for inspection.

Mumbai: The political row over the 2008 Malegaon blast verdict escalated further on Thursday, August 7, when Sudhakar Chaturvedi, one of the seven accused acquitted in the case, made a provocative statement during a press conference. Chaturvedi, who was cleared of all charges along with BJP MP Pragya Singh Thakur and Lt Col Prasad Purohit, said, “Prithviraj is himself a Sanatani. I will give a reward of Rs 2 lakh to anyone who dares to slap Prithviraj Chavan.”

His remarks were aimed at former Maharashtra chief minister and senior Congress leader Prithviraj Chavan, whose recent comments following the verdict have stirred controversy. The special NIA court, in its judgment, stated that there was no reliable and cogent evidence to convict the accused. The Malegaon blast of September 29, 2008, near a mosque, killed six people and injured 101, and the case dragged on for nearly 17 years before the final acquittal.

Prithviraj Chavan’s Controversial Remarks

After the court’s decision, Chavan urged people to stop using the term saffron terrorism, suggesting instead ‘Hindu fundamentalist’ or ‘Hindu terrorism’ to describe such acts. He explained that saffron holds deep cultural and religious meaning, representing the flag of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, the Warkari sect and saints like Sant Tukaram and Sant Dnyaneshwar.

Shiv Sena Protests Outside Congress Office Over Ex-Maha CM Prithviraj Chavan’s Controversial Remarks

However, his alternative terminology triggered backlash from right-wing groups and BJP allies, who accused him of maligning Hindu identity. On August 2, Shiv Sena workers staged a protest outside the Congress office in Mumbai’s Prabhadevi, demanding an apology. They alleged that the Congress frequently targeted Hindu sentiments under the banner of secularism.

Responding to Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s claim that “no Hindu can ever be a terrorist,” Chavan pointed to history, stating, “The first terrorist act in independent India was carried out by Nathuram Godse. What was his religion? Terrorism has no religion. This is BJP’s mindset, linking or delinking terrorism based on religious identity.”