Karnal, Feb 14: Upping the ante against the government, Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) leader Rakesh Tikait said Sunday the farmers won’t let it sit in peace till their demands are met. Addressing a farmers’ ‘mahapanchayat’ at Indri grain market in the district, Rakesh Tikait said the 40 leaders spearheading the agitation against the Centre’s farm laws will tour the entire country to drum up support for the stir.
“Till the time the government does not decide in our favour, talks to the committee (spearheading the agitation) and does not agree to the demands, we won’t let it sit in peace,” Tikait said, once more demanding the repeal of the laws. He reiterated that the Centre’s farm laws ‘will finish the public distribution system’. The laws will not only impact farmers but also small traders, daily wagers and other sections, he informed.
Tikait also questioned the government’s intention behind bringing the laws. “Godowns were built first and the laws came later. Don’t farmers know these laws are in favour of big corporates? Business on hunger will not be allowed in India. He reiterated that the ‘panch’ (leaders spearheading the stir) and the ‘manch’ (stage) will remain the same. He asserted that Singhu border protest site will remain central to the ongoing farmers’ stir and not the Ghazipur border. The BKU leader from Uttar Pradesh has been camping at Ghazipur on the Delhi-Uttar Pradesh border.
“They are repeatedly saying Ghazipur border will be the office (main protest site) instead of Singhu border. But I said the government or any official should not be under any false impression. We will neither change the ‘manch’ nor the ‘Panch’,” Tikait asserted.
“Whatever decisions are taken by the committee is acceptable to all. Farmers of India stand behind it. We will keep raising issues of farmers and fight for their rights,” added Tikait.
Apart from Tikait, farmer leaders Balbir Singh Rajewal, Darshan Pal and Haryana BKU chief Gurnam Singh Chaduni were also present on the occasion.
Rajewal said farmers have been protesting for months but the government is not listening to their demands. Pal claimed that over 200 farmers have sacrificed their lives during the agitation. “Their sacrifice will not go in vain,” he said.