40 farm leaders to embark on nationwide tour to gain support for agitation against agri laws: Rakesh Tikait

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Karnal (Haryana)  Feb 15 : Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) leader Rakesh Tikait on Sunday said that 40 leaders spearheading the agitation against the central farm laws will tour across the country to seek support for the stir.

Addressing Kisan Mahapanchayat here in Indri, Karnal, Tikait said that farmer organizations would not let the central government sit in peace till the farmers’ demands are met. “This time the target (for tractor parade) will be 40 lakh tractors. We all 40 leaders will tour the entire country to gain support. Everyone is united for the movement. Now, the farmers will decide the future of the country,” he said.

“Till the time the government does not meet our demands and talks to us, we will not let the Centre sit in peace. If the law on minimum support price (MSP) is enacted, then the entire country will benefit. The central government should withdraw all three farm laws. Whatever decisions are taken by the farmer unions are acceptable to all,” he added.

The BKU spokesperson asserted that ‘panch’ (leaders spearheading the stir) and the ‘manch’ (stage) will remain the same.

“Do not spoil our brains, both ‘kisan and jawan’ have right now said that take back the bills, we have not yet raised the slogan to return back the ‘gaddi’ so it is better if you keep on doing our work,” he said.

Tikait also alleged that farm laws “will end the public distribution system.”

Apart from Tikait, farmer leaders Balbir Singh Rajewal, Darshan Pal and Haryana BKU chief Gurnam Singh Charuni were also present on the occasion.

The central government has offered to put the farm laws “on hold” for 12-18 months, an offer rejected by the farmers’ unions protesting against the laws. Several rounds of talks have been held with farmers over their demand for the repeal of three new laws.

Farmers have been protesting on the different borders of the national capital since November 26 against the three newly enacted farm laws: Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2020; the Farmers Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and farm Services Act 2020 and the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act, 2020.