Farmers Movement Archive

Samyukt Kisan Morcha’s show of strength in Uttar Pradesh’s Muzaffarnagar today

Tribune News ServiceNew Delhi, September 4A video message that showed farmer leader Rakesh Tikait break down and declare he would rather die than end the protest against the central farm laws had led to a hastily called ‘kisan mahapanchayat’ in Uttar Pradesh’s Muzaffarnagar in January.Rakesh Tikait, farmer leaderIn distressUP farmers are facing hardships. Electricity rates are high while sugarcane rates have not gone up.The event provided a fresh lease of life to the agitation, particularly in Ghazipur where Tikait’s brother and BKU chief Naresh Tikait had already called it off following the Republic Day violence. The ‘mahapanchayat’ was followed by similar events in Haryana and western UP, which strengthened the movement. Seven months down the line, farmers are again assembling for another ‘mahapanchayat’at the GIC grounds in Muzaffarnagar on Sunday.The Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) has called the September 5 event as the launch of its ‘Mission UP-Uttarakhand’ against the BJP ahead of Assembly elections in the two states. It said mobilisation meetings had taken place in several states, including UP, Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan and Maharashtra.“It’s tough to say how many people will arrive, but I am confident it will be a massive gathering. No one can stop the farmers and if someone does, they will force their way to reach the venue,” Rakesh Tikait was quoted as saying. He urged people to be a part of the “historic event”, being viewed as a show of strength against the BJP’s Yogi Adityanath government ahead of the next Assembly elections.Rakesh Tikait said the ‘mahapanchayat’ was not linked to elections alone. “Farmers are facing hardships in UP. Electricity rates are the highest while sugarcane rates have not gone up since 2016. The Centre has increased cane FRP by Rs 5, a mere five paise per kg hike. Isn’t it an insult to farmers?” he said.Farmers have been planning to organise several ‘mahapanchayats’ in the poll-bound states in the first phase of their campaign. The SKM had also campaigned against the BJP during the West Bengal polls and claims “it contributed to the saffron party’s rout in the state”.Rakesh Tikait said 5,000 volunteers had been given duties and issued identity cards to ensure smooth movement of farmers to the venue. “We have arranged 12-14 screens and four to five fields for those unable to reach the main site as roads and parking areas will be jammed,” he said.The district administration, meanwhile, has made elaborate security measures. Six companies of the provincial armed constabulary (PAC) and two companies of rapid action force (RAF) have been deployed, according to reports. The event will be also videographed in view of recent happenings in Haryana where violence occurred during protests against politicians.

The Tribune

2021-09-05