BKU leader Rakesh Tikait tells farmers to be ready for ‘bigger andolan’

Warning that their local temples will be “encroached by RSS and BJP people”, the BKU national spokesperson asked them to start holding block-level meetings at the local temples and ensure that they become part of local temple committees.

“Desh main mandiron ko khatra Musalman se nahi hai, mandiron ko khatra BJP aur RSS ke logon se hai (temples don’t face threat from Muslims, temples face threat from RSS and BJP people),” said Tikait, asking farmers to hold meetings “with stick in hands as RSS functionaries do”. “Agar RSS ke log lathi leke chalte hain to apki bhi parade lathi leke hi honi chahiye (if RSS people walk with lathis in their hands, then you should also parade with lathis),” Tikait said.

Stating that BJP governments at the Centre and the state have not interacted with them since February 2021, Tikait said, “A conspiracy is going on. These governments will divide us on the basis of religion and caste but we will have to fight to protect our ideology by launching a big agitation. Be ready with your tractors.”

Tikait said if government officers attend RSS meetings, then people who support farmers will also attend farmers’ meetings. “And if such people are targeted, them farmers will launch an agitation to target RSS shakhas,” he said. Tikait also advised the opposition bloc INDIA that they should not fight among themselves as it would “make the dictator powerful”.

Raising farmers’ issues, Tikait said metres are being installed in villages, then how would one get free electricity?

Accusing the state government of lying about clearing all sugarcane dues of farmers, Tikait, “The matter is related to sugarcane’s rate. If Mayawati can increase Rs 40, then why not he (Adityanath)? If he is weaker than Mayawati? He doesn’t have power, Delhi stops him.”

“We want a law guaranteeing MSP,” said Tikait. Asking farmers not to sell their land, Tikait said, “A big conspiracy is going. Businessmen, officers and politicians are taking away farmers’ land. So, don’t sell your land, rather do agitation.”