Jind (Haryana): Bhartiya Kisan Union leader Rakesh Tikat on Wednesday has warned about the consequences if the protesting farmers started demanding the resignation of the Modi government instead of the repeal of the three new central agricultural laws.
“We are now urging the central government to withdraw the three farm laws. What will happen if we begin to ask the government to leave the throne in Delhi?” the farmer leader said while addressing a huge crowd at a Kisan Mahapanchayat at Kandela village in Jind district.
Representatives of nearly 50 ‘khaps’ or caste or community groups from Haryana participated in the event. The BKU leader also warned that now was the time for the Union government to be careful on the demands of the farmers, who have been protesting on the Delhi borders since November 26 last year.
“The government has time till October to accept our demands. If it does not, we will take out a farmers’ rally with 44 lakh tractors,” he warned.
The participants passed resolutions on five demands, including withdrawal of new agricultural laws, law on minimum support price, and implementation of the Swaminathan Committee report.
The protesters also demanded tracing of the farmers or agitators who had been reported missing ever since the violence during the tractor rally in Delhi on January 26, and withdrawal of cases registered against farmers.
New Delhi: The farmers’ unions protesting at the Singhu border will hold a meeting soon to decide the next course of action for the ongoing agitation, Satnam Singh Pannu, President (Punjab), Kisan Majdoor Sangharsh Committeae, said. The meeting will be held under the banner of Sanyukt Kisan Morcha.
“Leaders of all farmers’ unions (approx 40-45) will take part in the meeting and discuss on various issues,” said Pannu.
The meeting will be held a day before a nationwide a ‘Chakka Jam’ for three hours on February 6. “We will discuss some new strategies aiming to show our strength. The government is trying a lot to send us back, but we are not going back until the farm laws are repealed,” said Pannu.
Washington: In response to the US remarks, the Indian government on Thursday compared the violent protests against its farm reforms to the rioting by the supporters of former President Donald Trump at the Capitol Hill last month.
The US State Department said on Wednesday that the Joe Biden administration recognises “that peaceful protests are a hallmark of any thriving democracy, and note that the Indian Supreme Court has stated the same. We encourage that any differences between the parties be resolved through dialogue”.
Though the spokesperson said that “…the US welcomes steps that would improve the efficiency of India’s markets and attract greater private sector investment,” he reprimanded New Delhi over the suspension of internet services.”