On December 20, Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a surprise visit to the Gurudwara Rakabganj in Delhi even as the farmer’s strike led by mainly Punjab and Haryana reached 25nd day.
To be straight, some critics point out that Modi’s visit was only a move to placate the agitating farmers, who have mainly come from Punjab and Haryana. However, BJP leaders stressed that the visit has nothing to do with the agitation of farmers but only related to faith.
On the 25nd day of the protest, the farmers observed ‘Shradhanjali Diwas’ across the country to pay homage to those farmers who lost their lives during the ongoing agitation.
Soon after the visit, Modi tweeted “This morning, I prayed at the historic Gurudwara Rakab Ganj Sahib, where the pious body of Sri Guru Teg Bahadur Ji was cremated. I felt extremely blessed. I, like millions around the world, am deeply inspired by the kindnesses of Sri Guru Teg Bahadur Ji.” He also tweeted in Punjabi stating that the Guru sacrificed his life while defending Hindu religion.
Political pundits and critics noted the visit to be purely political rather than kind of faith. He chose the Gurudwara as the farmers protesting largely came from Punjab and Haryana, they said. However, they said that the efforts of mixing faith with the farmer’s protest were not going to make any inroads. One cannot change the mind of the agitating farmers, who want nothing but revoking the three agriculture laws by just visiting a Gurdwara.
The Prime Minister has been at pains to explain the benefits of the three agriculture laws and that the new reforms would only help them.
Modi unscheduled visited the Gurdwara with no security or barricading arrangements made on the roads. He visited the Gurdwara a day after the ninth Sikh Guru’s death anniversary on December 19.
Gurdwara Rakabganj is one of the most sacred places of the Sikhs. The mortal remains of Guru Tegh Bahadur, the ninth Sikh Guru, were consigned to flames at Gurdwara Rakabganj.
Soon after Modi tweeted about his visit, several people took to the social media asking the Prime Minister to visit the Delhi Border, where the farmers are protesting.