Digvijaya Singh Threatens Hunger Strike Over GI Tag Dispute for MP Farmers

In a recent press conference, former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister and current Rajya Sabha MP Digvijaya Singh alleged ongoing discrimination against the state's farmers, spotlighting the issue of Geographical Indication (GI) tags for basmati rice. Singh warned that if the disparaged farmers do not receive allocated benefits, he would resort to a hunger strike.

Citing longstanding grievances, Singh criticized the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) for its hesitation to grant GI tags to the basmati cultivated in Madhya Pradesh. Emphasizing the premier quality of the state's basmati, he highlighted its significant international market value, fetching approximately 304 dollars per quintal.

Singh also challenged recent government decisions on GI tagging, contrasting it with policies from the previous Congress-led UPA government that recognized the state's unique rice varieties. He condemned the current Bharatiya Janata Party regime for allegedly withdrawing Madhya Pradesh's GI tags while favoring Uttar Pradesh's rice. Competitively, Singh marked India's race against Pakistan in the global basmati marketplace.

Urging immediate action, Singh disclosed his March 7 communication with Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking intervention for Madhya Pradesh's farming community. Directing a pointed question towards Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, a previous state chief minister, Singh demanded accountability for the systemic neglect experienced by farmers from his constituency.

Singh's ultimatum—Madhya Pradesh's farmers deserve their GI tag entitlements by June or face his hunger strike protest—places the onus on government leaders, including Minister Chouhan, Piyush Goyal, and the Prime Minister. Despite voicing his eventual Rajya Sabha retirement plans, Singh affirmed his continued commitment to Congress's advocacy platform.