Ink thrown at farmer leader Rakesh Tikait in Bengaluru; 3 held

The incident took place at Gandhi Bhavan where Rakesh Tikait was holding a press conference—Raita Chaluvali, Aatmavalokana haagu Spasteekarana Sabha (Farmer’s Movement, Introspection and Clarification Meeting)—organised by the state farmers association and Hasiru Sene.

Farmer leader Rakesh Tikait in Bengaluru on Monday. (PTI)

Three people were arrested following an ink attack on Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) leader Rakesh Tikait and subsequent clashes at an event in Bengaluru on Monday, police said.

#WATCH Black ink thrown at Bhartiya Kisan Union leader Rakesh Tikait at an event in Bengaluru, Karnataka pic.twitter.com/HCmXGU7XtT

— ANI (@ANI) May 30, 2022

Tikait has blamed the BJP-led Karnataka government for the attack as he attended the ‘Raita Chaluvali, Aatmavalokana haagu Spasteekarana Sabha (farmer’s movement, introspection and clarification meeting)’.

The event was organised by the state farmers’ association and the Hasiru Sene.

A scuffle after an unidentified person threw ink on farmer leader Rakesh Tikait. (PTI)

State farm leader Kodihalli Chandrashekar, facing allegations he brokered deals to end the farm agitation against the now-repealed farm laws, was addressing the media when three men climbed the stage — one of them attacked Tikait with a microphone and another threw black ink at him. Tikait also sustained a minor injury on his head. Soon after, Tikait’s supporters and those involved in the ink attack started throwing chairs at each other, leading to clashes at the venue. “No security was provided by local police here. This has been done in collusion with the (Karnataka) government,” Tikait said.

State Home Minister Araga Jnanendra condemned the incident. He denied Tikait’s allegations and said the attempt to hurt the leader was inhuman and savage. The accused will be dealt with strictly, he added.

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