Farmers Movement Archive

BJP workers’ killing in Kheri ‘reaction to action’: Rakesh Tikait

NEW DELHI: The Lakhimpur Kheri incident was part of a pre-planned conspiracy and attackers tried to terrorise farmers through the violent act, said farmer leader Darshan Pal on Saturday even as another leader, Rakesh Tikait, sought to differentiate between the death of farmers who were mowed down by a vehicle and subsequent lynching of BJP workers by protesters. “That was the reaction to the action. There was no planning involved and that doesn’t amount to murder. I don’t consider them (protesters who might have been involved in lynching) culprits,” said Tikait at a press conference, jointly addressed by other farmer leaders including Yogendra Yadav and Hannan Mollah of Sanyukta Kisan Morcha. Yadav, however, sought to correct SKM’s position and said, “We are sad over the loss of lives, be it BJP workers or farmers. It was unfortunate and we hope justice is done.” Eight people, including four farmers, a journalist and three BJP members, were killed in the violence that broke out on October 3 after a speeding SUV allegedly ran over a group of protesting farmers. Few protesters then turned violent, leading to death of three others. SKM leaders demanded dismissal and arrest of junior home minister Ajay Mishra for conspiracy. “He (Mishra) is protecting the culprits in the case…,” Yadav said. SKM leaders said if all their demands are not met by October 11, the Morcha will hold a nationwide ‘Rail Roko’ (railways blockade) from 10 am to 4 pm on October 18 and organise a ‘mahapanchayat’ in Lucknow on October 26, the day the farmers’ agitation along Delhi borders will complete 11 months. Terming the Lakhimpur Kheri incident the “Jallianwalah Bagh” moment for the farmers’ movement, Yadav said the Morcha would burn the effigies of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, home minister Amit Shah and local BJP leaders on the day of ‘Dusshera’ on October 15. The Morcha also announced that October 12 will be observed as ‘Shaheed Kisan Diwas’. They announced a five-point programme to build pressure on the government to sack the minister and others. Darshan Pal said that the Lakhimpur Kheri incident didn’t happen suddenly. “Ajay Mishra made some remarks during an event in Lakhimpur Kheri on September 25. It forms the background of what happened on October 3. The video is on Facebook. This incident is a terrorist attack and part of a pre-planned conspiracy,” said the farmer leader.

The Times of India

2021-10-10

India