Farmers Movement Archive

Centre indulging in caste politics to divide farmers, says Jayant

Agra: Former MP and RLD leader Jayant Chaudhary has accused the BJP of indulging in caste politics by organising meetings as part of its outreach programmes to target members of the Jat community and caste councils (khaps) in a bid to break the farmers’ unity and build a counter narrative on the Centre’s three contentious farm laws. Addressing farmers at a 'kisan mahapanchayat' in Mathura on Thursday, the RLD leader, said that they are following a strategy of "divide and rule" and there is a need to remain united. “I am alerting you to prepare for it and don’t get distracted by such issues,” he said, adding that instead of resolving the farmers’ issues, the government is focussing on “caste” in order to create fissures and divert attention. Chaudhary, who has been addressing a series of 'mahapanchayats' across western UP in the past 15 days, said that it was not the protest of one caste, but a farmers' movement. “I have been told that their party leaders have been scolded in Delhi for not managing Jat leaders, as they feel that Jats are running the farmers’ protest and they have to be set right,” he said. He further said that they will use all tactics whenever they need your support, but when farmers need them they will not show their faces. “They will emphasise on caste and religion whenever they need your assistance, but don’t fall into that trap,” he said, appealing all to maintain unity, as this was their real strength. “This movement should continue,” he said, adding that there was no need to bend. Chaudhary said that this panchayat opposes and condemns the decision of the government to book people who are supporting farmers’ movement.

The Times of India

2021-02-19

Agra