Punjab farmer leader Tikait calls for joint fight: ‘agitation this time on KMP e-way…Govt needs 4 lakh tractors…’

“Farmers of the entire country are worried about Dallewal ji’s health…the government should take cognizance..It does not seem that Dallewal will take back his fast-unto-death till the time the government does not hold talks and meets their demands,” said Tikait.

Asked if all farm outfits, which formed the SKM during the agitation against now repealed farm laws, will join hands in the battle for farmers’ rights, Tikait said a committee has been formed to communicate with the groups and strategy will be devised on the future course of action.

Tikait, who is also Bharatiya Kisan Union’s spokesperson, said the Centre will have to be shown the might of farmers and for this Delhi will have to be surrounded from the KMP (Kundli-Manesar-Palwal expressway).

“The agitation (against now repealed farm laws) ran for 13 months at Delhi’s borders… the government once again needs 4 lakh tractors. The agitation this time will be on KMP…When and how that will happen, we will see..,” he said, adding “Rehmo karam say raja nahi manta, raja ko toh takat dikhani padti hai (the ruler has to be shown the might)”.

Replying to a question, he alleged that the Centre has a policy that farmers’ outfits should get divided to suit their agenda.

Tikait hailed the Sikhs as a brave community and said the Sikh community is not scared of making sacrifices and in the past too they have made numerous sacrifices for the nation.

BKU Dakaunda president Manjit Singh Dhaner, who too was part of delegation, said, “It is high time the government responded to the demands of farmers and saved the life of Dallewal ji. Our paths to struggle may be different, but our demands are the same”.

Harinder Singh Lakhowal, who heads BKU (Lakhowal) too said that demands of the SKM are the same as that of SKM (non-political) and KMM “but our mode of protests are different”.

When asked why farmers’ outfits don’t all come on one platform, Lakhowal said, “We have formed a committee, we will talk to other leaders before arriving at any decision. We have said without coming together (of farmers’ outfits), this battle cannot be fought and won. It is not only about one state, but all states will have to be taken together”.

Lakhowal too said Dallewal’s health is worrisome. “The government should take immediate steps and hold talks. We know he will not leave the morcha till demands are met,” he added.

Meanwhile, Pandher said a jatha of 101 farmers will march on foot for Delhi on Saturday in a peaceful manner.

Referring to Haryana authorities not permitting their march to Delhi on past two occasions, Pandher said the government should tell how 101 farmers on foot can pose a threat.