Nanded, August 5: Rakesh Tikait, leader of the Bharatiya Kisan Union, reiterated his demand for a legal guarantee of the Minimum Support Price (MSP) during his visit to Maharashtra. He emphasized that farmers will remain dissatisfied until their crop prices are legally protected. Tikait accused the government of failing to provide fair prices for crops across the country, including Maharashtra, leading to a severe economic crisis for farmers.
Speaking to reporters in Nanded, Tikait stated that farmer organizations are actively addressing issues faced by farmers in various districts of Maharashtra. After Nanded, he plans to visit Akola and other regions in the state. Maharashtra is among the states with the highest rates of farmer suicides, where crop yields are declining and farmers are not receiving adequate prices for their produce.
Tikait highlighted that the MSP guarantee law is the foremost demand of farmers. Without this legislation, farmers will continue to sell their crops at throwaway prices. He urged farmers in Maharashtra to actively participate in this struggle, stressing that it is a national issue affecting farmers across the country.
On the issue of land acquisition, Tikait criticized the government for rapidly acquiring land without providing fair compensation. He noted that many farmers are still receiving compensation based on the 2013 circle rate, while the law stipulates that they should receive four times that amount. In several instances, farmers are being compensated only twice the circle rate for their land.
Discussing a potential trade agreement with the United States, Tikait expressed concerns that such a deal could lead to a significant influx of grains, fruits, nuts, and other agricultural products from the U.S. into India, adversely affecting Indian farmers. If foreign agricultural products are subjected to zero tariffs while Indian products face tariffs of up to 18%, it would directly harm local farmers.
Opposing pending agricultural bills in Parliament, Tikait mentioned that issues like the Electricity Amendment Bill, Seed Bill, and Pesticide Bill are major concerns for farmers. There was an agreement during the farmers’ protests in Delhi not to advance the Electricity Amendment Bill, but it has now been reintroduced in the House. The MSP guarantee law, land acquisition, and the trade agreement with the U.S. are critical issues that farmer organizations are campaigning on nationwide.
When asked about the upcoming strategy for the movement, Tikait stated that meetings are ongoing in various states. Details will be made public once a final decision is reached. The farmer organization is continuously writing to the government and urging opposition parties to raise these issues in Parliament.
Regarding the recent ‘Cockroach People’s Party’ movement in Delhi, Tikait supported the protest but clarified that it was primarily a youth movement, which is why he did not send a large number of his workers but provided support from outside.
On questions regarding foreign funding of the CJP movement, Tikait stated he has no knowledge of such funding. He mentioned that providing water, food, biscuits, or other essentials during the protest should not be labeled as foreign funding. He continues to support the CJP movement, believing that the new generation knows how to fight for their issues effectively.
In response to allegations against Abhijit Deepke being a Pakistani agent, Tikait dismissed such claims, stating that he has faced similar accusations, including connections to the U.S. and Canada, and does not take them seriously.
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