Farmers Movement Archive

Khap leader’s call for support to BJP leads to 'split' in ranks

Muzaffarnagar: The controversy over the Saturday’s attack on the motorcade of BJP MLA Umesh Malik refuses to die as a war of words continues to keep political tempers high in the region. In a fresh development, Gathwala, a prominent khap of the region, is experiencing a vertical ideological split between Bhartiya Kisan Union (BKU) and BJP. One faction of the khap supports BKU chief Naresh Tikait while the other group is tilted in its opinion towards the BJP. On Saturday, Malik’s motorcade was attacked in Sisauli village, the BKU’s bastion and the native village of the Tikait brothers. After the incident, Malik and his supporters had approached police and submitted a complaint against BKU workers. Later, Union minister Sanjeev Balyan also visited the Bhorakalan police station, following which a case was registered and several farmers were booked. A day later, Naresh Tikait, who is also the chief of Balyan khap, told the Union minister to “sort out the issue and take back the case”. “Otherwise Balyan will not be able to enter Muzaffarnaar district,” Tikait had said as the leader of the Balyan khap. Following this, Gathwala khap chief Rajendra Malik came out in support of Balyan and Umesh Malik. “On Tuesday, a meeting was called to condemn Naresh Tikait’s statement. We have decided that members of Gathwala khap won't go on the BKU dharna being held on Gazipur border and we will also boycott the upcoming mahapanchayat in Muzaffarnagar on September 5,” Malik said. This led to a split in the ranks of the Gathwala khap. The khap’s other leaders called a meeting on Wednesday in favour of BKU in Shamli district. Naresh Tikait was also called in the meeting. Baba Shyam Singh, another leader of Gathwala khap, said, “Every man who belongs to this khap will join the mahapanchayat in Muzaffarnagar.”

The Times of India

2021-08-21

Meerut