Sunil Jakhar cautions agitating farmers against ‘mediators’

“These so-called mediators are claiming to help farmers get minimum support price (MSP) for all crops, but they themselves couldn’t keep their word,” he alleged.

Talking to The Indian Express, Jakhar said, “The whole country is with the farmers, and I am also part of it. I can understand the pain of the farmers. However, some people with ‘vested interests’ have got in the way. So, I would urge the farmers to – watch out for such mediators. They are the ones who had promised to give MSP within 24 hours of forming their government, but have they kept their word? And now they are doing ‘panchayati’ (mediation) on this issue.”

Jakhar was targeting the CM without naming him as Mann is projecting himself as the advocate of farmers.

Jakhar said, “I can’t say anything about the intention of mediators, but I am confident about the motive of the Union ministers, who have been deputed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, that they will try their best to resolve the issue. The manner in which the ‘mediators’ have got in the way, I agree with Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar that ‘dal mein kuchh kala hai’ (there is something fishy going on).”

On the farmers-Centre talks, Jakhar said, “I just wish tomorrow’s (Sunday) dialogue between the two groups brings fruitful results. However, I appeal to the farmers that they shouldn’t let themselves be used as a political pawn by anyone. They should maintain peace. I am completely against those who use words like ‘Khalistani’, ‘Punjabis’, ‘Sikhs’ as protesters. I am also a farmer and so, I appeal to everyone that ‘kisan ko kisan rehne do’ (let a farmer remain a farmer). Today I am in the BJP, but I am a farmer first. I remember that I was the first one to oppose the now-repealed three central farm laws in 2020. We all need to realise the worth of a farmer and be compassionate with them. However, at the same time, I have a message for the farmers – ‘Josh ke saath hosh rakhein’ (be aware along with enthusiasm). With folded hands, I appeal to all political parties to let a farmer remain a farmer and not to tag them with any particular section or religion. Today farmers of India, Europe, the US and other countries are raising their concerns, so we need to understand their problems and be compassionate with them. Those who say that farmers form just 15% of our GDP, they need to remember the days when this ‘annadata’ (food provider) had made us self-sufficient in food. Kisan (farmer) and Jawan (soldier) are important pillars of our country. In fact, today kisan and ‘gareeb’ (the poor) are sailing in the same boat, so we cannot overlook these two pillars. However, I am sure that Sunday’s talks will definitely yield positive results.”

When asked about the protest outside his house in Abohar (Fazilka district), he said, “Farmers have every right to protest and that’s how we can make their voices heard. There are farmers at Shambu border and Khanauri border as well, but I appeal to them to stay calm.”

On Thursday, as the farm leaders arrived for a third round of talks with the Union ministers in Chandigarh, Mann had told the former: “I am your advocate”. In the same breath, he informed them that he will be part of the meeting as custodian of the people of Punjab, to ensure that nobody suffered due to the farmers’ protest. The previous three rounds of talks had remained inconclusive.