Farmers Movement Archive

Farmer leader slams Rakesh Tikait over crop remark

JAIPUR: Farmer leader and Kisan Mahapanchayat convener Rampal Jat on Friday expressed his objection to the remarks made by Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) leader Rakesh Tikait who said, “the farmers would burn their crops if they were forced to return (for crop harvesting). Slamming the leader, Jat said the leaders of the farmers’ agitation must “exercise restraint and should not make such irresponsible statements”. He also said, one should not try to “imitate Sir Chhotu Ram”, who was a peasant leader during the British rule. Tikait made this remark this while addressing a farmers’ rally at Kharak Punia in Haryana on Thursday. “Several leaders of Kisan Andolan are losing patience and dignity. If anybody considers himself a tall leader, he should exercise restraint, must be patient, dignified and responsible. Taking advantage of his position, if anyone talks about burning the crops without consulting the samyunkt morcha and issuing a statement at his personal level, is nothing but crossing one’s limit. Will he set his on farmland on fire? How can you ask the farmers to burn their crops?” Jat told TOI. “One should exercise restraint and must not lose one’s patience. When Sir Chhotu Ram gave such a call (to burn the crops) during World War II, British were ruling the country. During the second World War, the British had the requirement of a huge amount of wheat. Hence, it was done to negotiate with the British for a better price for the crops. But, neither anybody is as tall a leader as Sir Chhotu Ram nor the British are ruling the country now. Also, there is no such situation to bargain (for the price),” he added. “Despite all these, trying to imitate Sir Chhotu Ram without using one’s brain, is a wrong thing. Therefore, no leader should make any irresponsible statement just to get publicity and to remain in the public glare. They should be responsible and patient, else they will only cause harm to this agitation. It is a wrong practice,” Jat further said.

The Times of India

2021-02-20

Jaipur