Farmers Movement Archive

‘Will not let stature of PM diminish, but he should protect farmers’ self-respect’

MUZAFFARNAGAR: A day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that he was “just a phone call away”, Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) president Naresh Tikait told TOI on Sunday that “the protesting farmers will not let the stature of PM diminish, but he should talk in farmers’ interest for a respectful solution”. The farmers are also committed to protecting their own self-respect and the PM should talk about their benefits, the farm leader, who led a massive 'mahapanchayat' in Uttar Pradesh's Muzaffarnagar recently, said. "It will be our honour to meet the PM, if he calls us," he added. Tikait also appealed to the government to release the detained farmers and prepare an environment conducive for talks. "A middle path should be found. Talks should be held and a respectful solution should be reached. We will never agree to anything under pressure." Farmers and citizens are suffering, a long protest is not good in anyone's interest and so the suffering of the people must end soon, Tikait said. On the injured Delhi cops, Tikait said that those who got hurt in the violence during the Republic Day tractor parade "are our sons too and farmers are ready to give blood for them, if needed". Tikait had earlier said, "I am really sorry for them [policemen who got hurt]. The Red Fort violence was a blot on our nation which cannot be washed away. The culprits should be arrested. Our National Flag is above everything, and we will never let anyone disrespect it. It will not be tolerated by farmers. But now, it is time to move on and we all should speak in the country's interest and the farmers' interest." He also demanded a fair investigation into the "conspiracy", and had asked the government to take back the FIRs against the protesting farmers. Tikait had presented a proposal before the Centre on Saturday to stay the three farm laws till the end of government's tenure. “Principally, we want the three farm laws to go. However, the government is adamant. We are ready for a compromise where neither of us wins or loses. As they have already suggested not to implement the laws for 18 months, they can extend it till 2024,” he told TOI.

The Times of India

2021-02-01

Meerut