Farmer leader Rakesh Tikait accused the union government of bringing “anti-farmer policies” to deprive the farmers of their right of guaranteed Minimum Support Price. During a visit to Haryana’s Kaithal on Monday, Tikait accused the government of misleading farmers by making false claims about the Minimum Support Price (MSP) and ignoring the needs of small farmers and laborers.
He reiterated his support for the ongoing movement led by Daljit Dallewal. Tikait also announced that the farmers’ demands will be discussed during the February 14 meeting with the government.
However, Tikait refrained from making any comments over farmers’ issues in his home state of Uttar Pradesh, but criticized former Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal’s policies, claiming that Haryana’s mandi system has collapsed. “Earlier, even crops from outside Haryana were sold here. Now, local farmers are struggling to sell their produce in the mandis,” he said, emphasizing that MSP is a nationwide issue and not limited to one state.
However, Tikait refrained from making any comments over farmers’ issues in his home state of Uttar Pradesh, but criticized former Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal’s policies, claiming that Haryana’s mandi system has collapsed. “Earlier, even crops from outside Haryana were sold here. Now, local farmers are struggling to sell their produce in the mandis,” he said, emphasizing that MSP is a nationwide issue and not limited to one state.
Tikait accused the government of waiving off loans for big corporations while neglecting small shopkeepers, farmers, and laborers. He warned that if this continues, 70% of the country’s land will soon be in the hands of industrialists. He also alleged a conspiracy to end weekly village markets.
Highlighting the long-standing farmers’ agitation, Tikait said the government’s actions during the protests had made it clear that it does not prioritize farmers’ welfare. He urged the government to address the farmers’ issues promptly, warning that they are prepared to go to any extent to secure their rights.
Meanwhile, the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) expressed gratitude for the overwhelming response to the Tractor, Vehicle, and Motorcycle Parades held across the country on Republic Day. The SKM leaders claimed that the thousands of farmers, along with trade unions like the Joint Platform of Central Trade Unions (JPCTUs) and IFTU, organized rallies at district and subdivision levels in most states, demanding the repeal of anti-farmer laws, implementation of MSP at C2+50% with legal guarantees, and a loan waiver, among other demands.
The SKM reaffirmed its commitment to opposing the four labor codes and the New Policy for Agricultural Marketing (NPFAM), which they described as anti-farmer, anti-federal, and anti-national.
The SKM reaffirmed its commitment to opposing the four labor codes and the New Policy for Agricultural Marketing (NPFAM), which they described as anti-farmer, anti-federal, and anti-national.
