Farmers Movement Archive

PM Modi backed MSP as Gujarat CM, should do so now: Farmer leader Rakesh Tikait

MUMBAI: Demanding that the Centre bring in a law to guarantee the minimum support price (MSP) for crops, Bhartiya Kisan Union (BKU) leader Rakesh Tikait said that Prime Minister Modi had once been a strong advocate of it. “In 2011, when a central committee was formed, Modi was the chief minister of Gujarat. His draft advised on making MSP a guaranteed law,” Tikait said at a Mahapanchayat of farmers and workers at the Azad Maidan on Sunday. “Modi had done his PhD on MSP. But today, when the lawyer has become a judge, they are saying MSP will be a hindrance for farmers. In reality, they don’t want to give the MSP as they want to benefit the corporates so that they can fill their godowns with cheap grains looted from farmers,” said Tikait. The farmers’ leader reiterated that the protest would not end without a law on MSP. “The disease of the farm laws may be repealed but that doesn’t mean farmers do not have other ailments,” he said. The Mahapanchayat called for the defeat of the BJP in the upcoming assembly polls in the country and hailed the victory of the farmer’s struggle in the repeal of the farm laws. It also paid homage to the farmers who died at the year-long protest near Delhi and at Lakhimpur Kheri. Other leaders present included activist Yogendra Yadav, Medha Patkar of the National Alliance of Peoples’ movements and Ashok Dhawle of the Kisan Sabha. Tikait said the farmers’ protest was far from over and that the Central government could not be trusted. “The intention of the government is not good. They have conspiracies and will betray us. They want to belittle farmers,” he asserted. He also said that the Samyukta Kisan Morcha would participate in people’s protests and would stand with students and the unemployed. Tikait called upon the MVA government in Maharashtra to support those who died in the farmer protests at the Delhi border.

The Times of India

2021-11-29

Mumbai