Farmers Movement Archive

Mahapanchayats will not stop even after attacks, says Rakesh Tikait

AGRA/MUZAFFARNAGAR: A day after an attack on the convoy of BKU member Rakesh Tikait in Rajasthan’s Alwar, he visited Aligarh to address a 'kisan mahapanchayat' and said that such attacks would not deter his spirit or weaken the agitation. He also accused the BJP of engineering the attack on him. Talking to media persons, Tikait said that these attacks will happen a hundred times, but he will not change his programmes and continue with the mahapanchayats. “ABVP students were present there,” he said. Addressing a mahapanchayat in Aligarh’s Gonda village, Rakesh Tikait said, “Jaan Jane tak hamle honge…yeh programme nahi rukega (these will happen but these programmes will not stop till I am alive).” On the upcoming panchayat elections in the state, Rakesh appealed to the farmers — “not to forget that this government is a cheat”. “Farmers will not leave this (agitation) easily as they know how to handle problematic bulls,” he said, adding that this will take time. Meanwhile, BKU chief Naresh Tikait has appealed to all farmers to “reach Ghazipur border for a panchayat against the attack on Rakesh in Rajasthan”. In a late night meeting on Friday, Naresh made the appeal in Sisauli village of Muzaffarnagar, which is also the headquarters of BKU. He also said the attack on Rakesh was "pre-planned". “Farmers across the country are angry over the Rajasthan incident. Therefore, an urgent meeting was called and a mahapanchayat will be held on the Ghazipur border on April 4. Further action will be taken in that panchayat,” Naresh said.

The Times of India

2021-04-04

Meerut