New Delhi: While farmers in Uttar Pradesh’s Muzaffarnagar are holding a ‘mahapanchayat’ to protest against the Centre’s controversial agriculture laws, BJP leader Varun Gandhi has called for a compromise with the farmers. He said the government needed to work with him to revive dialogue with him “in a respectful manner” and reach a common ground.
Varun Gandhi tweeted a video of the ‘Mahapanchayat’ saying, “Lakhs of farmers have gathered in protest today in Muzaffarnagar. They are our own flesh and blood. We need to reconnect with them in a respectful way: to relieve their pain.” Understand, their perspectives, and work with them to reach common ground.”
A large number of farmers from different states participated in the ‘Kisan Mahapanchayat’ on Sunday. The farmers reiterated their resolve that the protests would continue until their demands were accepted by the government, which included repeal of agricultural laws.
Dharmendra Malik, media in-charge of Bhartiya Kisan Union said that farmers from 300 organizations spread across different states like Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab, Maharashtra, Karnataka have gathered for this event.
He said that more than 5,000 langars (food stalls) including some mobile stalls have been set up for the participants.
Farmers, including women wearing flags of different organizations and different colored caps, were seen reaching the venue in buses, cars and tractors.
Several medical camps have also been set up nearby.
Varun Gandhi’s tweet came after his cousin and Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra announced his support to the ‘Mahapanchayat’ of farmers.
Priyanka Gandhi tweeted, ‘Farmers are the voice of this country. Farmers are the pride of the country. There is no arrogance of any authority in front of the voice of the farmers. The whole country is with the farmers in the fight to save agriculture and demand the right for their hard work.
Just a few days ago, Varun Gandhi met the farmers of Pilibhit and heard their pain. He had also criticized Karnal SDM Ayush Sinha for ordering policemen to “behead” the protesting farmers and demanded action against them.
Meanwhile, after several rounds of talks between farmers and the Center ended the deadlock, BKU (apolitical) leader Rakesh Tikait said during the mahapanchayat that the protest would continue till the government repeals the agriculture laws.
“When the Indian government invites us for talks, we will go. The farmers’ movement will continue till the government meets our demands. The struggle for independence continued for 90 years, so I don’t know when this movement will take place. Will last till”, said Rakesh Tikait.
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