Farm laws will bring back ‘company rule’: Rakesh Tikait

Samyukta Kisan Morcha leader Rakesh Tikait on Wednesday called upon farmers from south Indian states to join the ongoing protest to stonewall the farm laws which were aimed at "benefitting the capitalists" and thereby bring back ‘company rule’ in the country.

Addressing the farmers’ Mahapanchayat here, Tikait said there was a need to make the farmers campaign against the new agrarian laws an all-India movement

“Government is using police force to stifle the movement. Farmers should be prepared to go to jail and face the baton-wielding police to protect their interests,” Tikait said.

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“The year 2021 belongs to farmers’ struggle. Farmers in Delhi have been protesting for over four months. They braved the winter chill and bearing the brunt of extremely hot weather. Despite hostile weather, the agitating farmers have stood their ground firm. Everyone should join hands and force the Centre to withdraw all three draconian farm laws,” he added.

“This (Belagavi) is a land of freedom struggles. Rani Channamma fought against the British. The farmers here need not go to Bengaluru. They can lay siege to Suwarna Vidhana Soudha and there is no need to seek police permission for the same,” he said.

Earlier in the day, the leaders of Delhi farm protests were taken to the rally venue in a bullock cart procession from Rani Chennamma Circle.

Yudhaveer Singh of Bharatiya Kisan Union, farmer leaders from state Babagouda Patil, K T Gangadhar, Chukki Nanjundaswamy and Kuruburu Shanthakumar were present.