News Analysis India

Tag: Bharatiya Kisan Union

  • Rakesh Tikait attacked, ink smeared on his face by three in Bengaluru

    Express News Service

    BENGALURU: Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) leader Rakesh Tikait was attacked by three people at Gandhi Bhavan in Bengaluru on Monday when he was about to address a press conference. The three accused smeared the farmer leader’s face with black ink and tried to hit him with a mic. 

    The trio, who have been arrested, reportedly told the police that they were upset with Tikait and others for not talking in Kannada and also for attacking Prime Minister Narendra Modi in their speeches.The arrested have been identified as Bharath Shetty, Pradeep and Shivakumar, members of Karnataka Sangatanegala Okkoota.

    At around 11 am, Tikait, along with other leaders was at Gandhi Bhavan to take part in an event, ‘Farmer’s Movement: Introspection and Clarification’ over allegations against state farmer leader Kodihalli Chandrashekar that he took bribes to end farmers’ protests on Delhi border. 

    When Kavitha Kuragunti, a woman farmer leader was speaking in Telugu, a group of people demanded that she speak in Kannada. In the melee, the three accused charged at Tikait and splashed ink on his face and tried to hit him on the head with a mic. Tikait however protected himself by holding the mic with his hand. High drama prevailed at the venue as it led to a clash between two groups who indulged in throwing plastic chairs at each other.  

    No security provided by police, says farmer leaderAnother BKU leader Yudhvir Singh, who was sitting next to Tikait, was also smeared with black ink. The High Grounds police rushed to the scene and took the three attackers into custody. Later speaking to reporters, Tikait alleged that the violence was carried out in collusion with the BJP-led government in the state. He said no security was provided by the local police. The police said the accused were produced before a judge following which they taken been into custody for further questioning.

    It may be recalled that JDS party workers had made a futile bid to splash ink on Kodihalli Chandrashekhar at the Press Club of Bengaluru on Saturday and the Cubbon Park police had arrested them.  Reacting to the incident, State Home Minister Araga Jnanendra said strict action will be taken against the attackers, against whom the police have already booked cases. Jnanendra claimed the accused were not BJP workers and were present at the venue in the guise of journalists. 

  • There will be direct contest between AAP and BJP in Himachal polls: Jain

    At a press conference, he said, Bharatiya Kisan Union (Himachal Pradesh) head and advocate, Anender Singh Nauti, along with his thirty associates have joined the AAP.

  • ‘People’s decision paramount, hope governments work for farmers’: Rakesh Tikait on assembly polls results

    By PTI

    NOIDA: Farmer leader Rakesh Tikait said the decision of people is paramount as he hoped the new governments in Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Goa, Manipur and Uttarakhand will work for farmers and labourers.

    The remark of the national spokesperson of the Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) came late on Thursday after the BJP won majority seats in four states, including Uttar Pradesh, while the Aam Aadmi Party stormed to power in Punjab.

    “In the great festival of democracy, the decision of the people is paramount. The farmers’ movement showed its effect. We hope that all the governments that have been formed will work for to uplift farmers and labourers in their respective states. Congratulations to all on the victory,” Tikait tweeted in Hindi.

    Tikait’s BKU was part of the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM), an umbrella body of farmers unions which had spearheaded the 13-month-long protest in Delhi in 2020-21 against three contentious farm laws, which now stand repealed.

    In the aftermath of the iconic protests, the SKM had launched a “punish BJP” campaign in Uttar Pradesh, where farmer leaders toured several places and highlighted the anti-agriculture policies of the saffron party and issues like inflation, alleged corruption and the Lakhimpur Kheri violence in which a Union minister’s son is among the accused.

  • Vote for farmers, not NOTA: Tikait brothers’ pre-poll appeal ahead of UP elections

    By PTI

    NOIDA: Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) president Naresh Tikait and its spokesperson Rakesh Tikait on Wednesday appealed to people to vote on farmers’ issues during the first phase of Uttar Pradesh assembly polls, beginning Thursday.

    Elections will be held in 58 assembly seats across 11 districts of western Uttar Pradesh, where the BKU, an influential farmers’ union of north India, holds a considerable sway among the farming community.

    “Not NOTA, but vote in the elections and hit the issues of farmers, I will be voting along with my family at 2 PM in Sisauli, you too join the mahayagya of democracy,” Naresh Tikait tweeted in Hindi.

    His younger brother Rakesh Tikait also put out a similar tweet except his polling booth is in Muzaffarnagar city and not in their ancestral village of Sisauli.

    Sisauli, the headquarters of the BKU, is in Muzaffarnagar district of western Uttar Pradesh.

    The BKU is part of the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM), which had spearheaded the agitation against the now-repealed three central farm laws for over a year from November 2020.

    Rakesh Tikait, the spokesperson of the BKU, had emerged as a prominent face of the agitation and credited with reviving the agitation which had started waning post January 26, 2021 violence in Delhi.

    The Tikait brothers’ remark to “vote for farmers’ issues” assumes significance amid a much-talked about anti-BJP feeling in parts of western Uttar Pradesh in the wake of the farmers’ agitation during which over 700 people are claimed to have lost their lives.

    Naresh and Rakesh Tikait are sons of legendary farmer leader Mahendra Singh Tikait.

    Naresh Tikait is also the head of the Balyan Khap.

  • Farmers observe Jan 31 as ‘Vishwasghat Diwas’, accuse Centre of betraying them

    By PTI

    JAIPUR/GHAZIABAD: Farmers held protests in different parts of the country on Monday as part of their observance of ‘Vishwasghat Diwas’, accusing the Union government of betraying them over various farm issues.

    The call for a nationwide observance of ‘Betrayal Day’ was given by Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) leader Rakesh Tikait on Sunday.

    He alleged that the over-year-long agitation of farmers at Delhi’s borders was suspended on basis of a letter given by the government on December 9, but those promises have not been fulfilled.

    In Rajasthan, farmers held protests at several district headquarters and major towns, including Jaipur.

    Farmers held a demonstration at Shaheed Smarak in the state capital and burnt an effigy of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

    In Sikar, former CPI(M) MLA and farmer leader Amra Ram led the protest and accused the Union government of not taking any step following the “agreement” with the farmers.

    In Uttar Pradesh’s Ghaziabad, farmers gathered at the local collectorate and handed over a memorandum to the administration, BKU’s district president Bijendra Singh told PTI.

    ALSO READ: Rakesh Tikait slams Modi government says farmers would observe ‘Betrayal Day’ on Monday

    Addressing the protesters, he said the government has not yet fulfilled various demands of the farmers, including about minimum support price for crops even though their protest was suspended over a month ago.

    The cases lodged against agitating farmers have not been withdrawn and the Uttar Pradesh government was not paying attention to the demand of martyr status to farmers who died during the agitation, Singh added.

    The protest on Delhi’s borders had started under the banner of the Samyukta Kisan Morcha, a farmers’ collective, in November 2020 over the main demands of withdrawal of three contentious farm laws that were introduced by the BJP-led Centre.

    The farmers, who occupied key border points of Singhu, Tikri, and Ghazipur for over a year, also demanded a legal guarantee for minimum support price (MSP) of crops.

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi had in November 2021 announced that the contentious farm laws would be rolled back, leading to the protestors eventually vacating Delhi borders in December.

  • Protest won’t end yet, next decision on November 27: Rakesh Tikait

    By PTI

    GHAZIABAD: The ongoing anti-farm laws protest will not end yet and its future course of action will be decided on November 27, BKU leader Rakesh Tikait said on Wednesday.

    The Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) national spokesperson said the protestors would also question the Centre on its claims of doubling farmers’ income.

    “This protest will not end yet. We have a meeting on November 27 after which we will take further decisions.

    (Prime Minister Narendra) Modi ji has said farmers’ income would be doubled from January 1, so will ask him how it would be done. Farmers’ victory will be ensured when they get the right price for their crops,” Tikait tweeted in Hindi.

    Hundreds of farmers have been encamped at Delhi’s borders since November 26, 2020 with a demand that the Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2020, Farmers’ (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Act, 2020 and the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act, 2020 be rolled back and a new law made to guarantee Minimum Support Price (MSP) for crops.

    PM Modi had last week announced his government’s decision to withdraw the contentious laws.

  • Do it in Parliament, guarantee MSP: Tikait on PM’s farm laws repeal promise

    By PTI

    GHAZIABAD: Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) leader Rakesh Tikait on Friday said the ongoing anti-farm laws protest will be withdrawn only after the three contentious legislations are repealed in Parliament and legal guarantee on minimum support price (MSP) for crops made.

    The influential farmer leader from western Uttar Pradesh also asked supporters not to engage in celebrations as their “struggle” will continue.

    Tikait, who was in Maharashtra’s Palghar for an event on Friday, took to Twitter soon after Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced repealing the three farm laws, which were at the centre of the farmers’ protest since November 26 last year.

    “The protest will not be withdrawn immediately, we will wait for the day when the farm laws are repealed in Parliament.

    Farmers celebrate in New Delhi after PM #NarendraModi announced that the Centre has decided to repeal all three #FarmLaws.Express video | @parveennegi1. pic.twitter.com/aoeoXEI22R
    — The New Indian Express (@NewIndianXpress) November 19, 2021
    Along with MSP, the government should talk to farmers on other issues too,” Tikait tweeted in Hindi.

    Addressing the nation on the occasion of Guru Nanak Jayanti, the prime minister said the three farm laws were for the benefit of farmers but “we couldn’t convince a section of farmers despite best efforts”.

    The goal of the three farm laws was to empower farmers, especially small farmers, he said. At Palghar, Tikait said the prime minister must get the three laws repealed in Parliament and provide guarantee on MSP.

    “The farmers are not going back home without this. Where we are today (Palghar), crops are not bought at MSP. The issue of MSP is one that affects entire country,” the BKU national spokesperson said.

    He also asked people not to celebrate or distribute sweets now as the “struggle” has to continue.

    “Today we have a meeting of our nine-member team of Samyukt Kisan Morcha scheduled at the Singhu border head office. The final decision will be taken there,” Tikait said.

    The BKU leader said he would return to Delhi border later Friday night and would be at Ghazipur on Saturday.

    In Palghar, Tikait met leaders of the Bhumi Sena – Advisi Kisan Parishad, who have been campaigning for land rights of tribal communities in the state.

    Invoking Birsa Munda, the legendary tribal freedom fighter, Tikait lauded the Bhumisena – Adivasi Ekta Parishad for their support to the ongoing farmers’ protest and for fighting for the cause of tribals at village level.

    Hundreds of farmers have been encamped at Delhi’s borders since November 26, 2020 demanding that the Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2020, Farmers’ (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Act, 2020 and the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act, 2020 be rolled back and a new law made to guarantee MSP for crops.

    The government had so far maintained that the laws are pro-farmer but many from the farming community believed some changes in legislations would leave them at the mercy of corporations.

  • Farmers’ protest to be intensified in Purvanchal region: Bharatiya Kisan Union leader Rakesh Tikait

    By PTI

    GHAZIABAD: Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) leader Rakesh Tikait on Tuesday said the protest against the Centre’s three farm laws will be intensified in the Purvanchal region, which comprises parts of eastern Uttar Pradesh and western Bihar.

    He said that a ‘Kisan Mahapanchayat’ will be held in Lucknow on November 22, four days ahead of the anti-farm law protest at Delhi borders completing one year.

    The BKU is part of the farmers collective Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM), which is spearheading the campaign, particularly the demonstrations at Delhi’s three border points of Singhu, Tikri and Ghazipur since November 2020.

    “The Kisan Mahapanchayat on November 22 to be held in Lucknow will be historic. This Mahapanchayat of the SKM will prove to be the last nail in the coffin of the anti-farmer government and the three black laws. Now the movement of ‘Annadata’ (food providers) will intensify even in Purvanchal,” Tikait, the national spokesperson of the BKU, tweeted in Hindi.

    Hundreds of farmers are encamped at Delhi borders with a demand that the Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2020, Farmers’ (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Act, 2020 and the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act, 2020 be rolled back and a new law made to guarantee minimum support price for crops.

    The Centre, which has held 11 rounds of formal dialogues with the farmers, has maintained that the new laws are pro-farmer, while protestors claim they would be left at the mercy of corporations because of the legislations.

  • Administration trying to pull down protesting farmers tents, alleges Rakesh Tikait

    By ANI

    GHAZIPUR: Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) leader Rakesh Tikait on Sunday warned the Centre saying that if the administration pulls down farmer’s tents at protest sites, they will set tents at police stations and District Magistrate’s offices.

    “We have come to know that the administration is trying to pull down the tents here with the help of JCB. If they do that, the farmers will set up their tents at Police stations, DM offices,” Tikait told ANI.

    Earlier in the day, he tweeted, “If there is an attempt to forcibly remove the farmers from the borders, then they will turn government offices across the country into Galla Mandi.”

    Delhi Police on Thursday night started removing barricades placed at the Tikri and Ghazipur borders where farmers were protesting against the Centre’s three farm laws.

    The stretch was shut for over 11 months ever since the farmers’ agitation started and commuters have been citing inconvenience during their travelling.

    Farmers have been protesting at different sites since November 26 last year against the three 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.

    Farmer leaders and the Centre have held several rounds of talks but the impasse remains.

  • Lakhimpur violence: Amid calls for resignation, Ajay Mishra meets Amit Shah 

    Express News Service

    LUCKNOW: Minister of State for Home Affairs Ajay Mishra met Union Home Minister Amit Shah at his New Delhi residence on Wednesday morning and apprised him with the details of Lakhimpur Kheri violence during which 8 persons including four farmers lost their lives last Sunday.

    The meeting between the ministers came amid opposition calls for his resignation and also the arrest of his son Ashish Mishra who has been named by the farmers as the main accused who allegedly ran his SUV over the group of protesting farmers in Lakhimpur Kheri on Sunday.

    It may be recalled that while talking to the state government to reach an understanding on Monday,  Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) spokesman Rakesh Tikait had put forward the condition of resignation by Ajay Mishra and arrest of his son Ashish over the violence.

    However, the sources from Delhi claimed that after landing in Delhi on Wednesday morning, Mishra straightaway went to his office in North block and then to Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s residence.

    ALSO READ | Chhattisgarh, Punjab govt to give Rs 50 lakh to families of farmers, journalist killed in Lakhimpur violence

    Shah held a meeting with Mishra for about 30-45 minutes during which the deputy minister apprised Amit Shah of the developments of Lakhimpur Kheri. Sources close to Mishra claimed that during the meeting the issue of Mishra’s resignation did not come up for discussion.

    “Neither Mishra’s resignation was discussed nor sought by the Union Home Minister,” said the sources thus closing the chapter of minister’s resignation. Even the minister said that there was no pressure on him by the high command to step down.

    “Why would I resign? There is no pressure on me. We will investigate this, and those involved, who conspired, will take action against them,” Mishra had saidon Tuesday.

     Minister of State for Home sat in his first-floor office at the North Block in Delhi for about half an hour before visiting Amit Shah at his residence and returned to North block to meet his cabinet colleague Nityanand Rai, who is also minister of state for home.

    However, back in Lucknow, highly-placed sources claimed that the Yogi Adityanath government has also sent a detailed report on the Lakhimpur violence to the Union home ministry on Wednesday. In the report, the state government is believed to have mentioned the circumstances leading to violence and subsequent loss of lives. The state government also apprised the Union Home ministry about the understanding reached with the protesting farmers and also the conditions of the truce along with the action so far taken in the case.