Sun May 18 20:50:00 UTC 2025: **Summary:**

Congress leader Jairam Ramesh used his birthday greetings to Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar to criticize the Modi government. Ramesh accused the government of ignoring Dhankhar’s appeals on behalf of protesting farmers. He referenced Dhankhar’s previous remarks on inflation and farmer subsidies. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge also wished Dhankhar a happy birthday.

**News Article:**

**Congress Leader Uses VP’s Birthday to Criticize Modi Government on Farmer Issues**

**New Delhi – May 19, 2025** – In a move seen as politically charged, Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh used his birthday message to Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar as an opportunity to criticize the Narendra Modi government’s handling of the ongoing farmer protests. Ramesh, in a post on X (formerly Twitter), accused the government of “continuously ignoring” Mr. Dhankhar’s “impassioned pleas” on behalf of the farmers.

Mr. Dhankhar, who turned 74 on Sunday, has previously advocated for Direct Benefit Transfers in fertilizer subsidies for farmers and urged that inflation be factored into financial assistance. Ramesh referenced these remarks, questioning why Prime Minister Modi had not taken similar action.

“While wishing him on this happy occasion, it has to be recalled that it is extremely unfortunate but not entirely surprising that the Modi government continues to ignore his impassioned pleas on behalf of the agitating farmers,” Ramesh stated.

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge also extended birthday wishes to the Vice-President, emphasizing his commitment to parliamentary democracy. While Kharge’s message was more conventional, Ramesh’s statement highlights the continued political tensions surrounding the farmers’ protests and the opposition’s strategy of leveraging internal government perspectives to challenge the ruling party. The Modi government has yet to respond to Ramesh’s accusations.

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