A day right after the farmers’ planned tractor rally turned violent in Delhi causing injury to more than 300 police personnel and damaging public house, fissures emerged amongst farmer leaders. The Delhi Police has named Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) spokesperson Rakesh Tikait in an FIR. The FIR mentions various IPC sections, like sec 307 (try to murder), 147 (punishment for rioting) and 353 (assault/criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty), stated Delhi Police today.
One of the prominent leaders of the farmers’ agitation, Sardar VM Singh termed yesterday’s occasion as shameful and known as for action against the culprits. “We came here for MSP, not hooliganism. Action must be taken against those who took a different route. It was shameful. We’ll have to see how to go ahead with those who want to break agitation,” stated Sardar VM Singh of Rashtriya Kisan Mazdoor Sangathan.
Addressing a press conference this evening, Singh stated that he has nothing at all to do with the protest which is getting led and represented by Rakesh Tikait. He expressed his inability to continue the protest with somebody whose path is unique.
“I can’t carry forward a protest with someone whose direction is different. I wish them best but VM Singh & Rashtriya Kisan Mazdoor Sangathan are withdrawing from the protest,” stated Singh.
Thakur Bhanu Pratap Singh, president of Bharatiya Kisan Union (Bhanu), also ended his 58-day-lengthy protest citing Delhi violence. “I am deeply pained by whatever happened in Delhi yesterday and ending our 58-day protest,” stated Thakur Bhanu Pratap Singh, president of Bharatiya Kisan Union (Bhanu) at Chilla border.
Earlier today, Rakesh Tikait and SS Pandher blamed Punjabi actor Deep Sidhu for the Delhi violence alleging that he is a BJP worker.
“Deep Sidhu is not a Sikh, he is a worker of the BJP. There is a picture of him with the PM. This is a movement of farmers and will remain so. Some people will have to leave this place immediately- those who broke barricading will never be a part of the movement,” stated Tikait.
Pandher stated that there’s an try to defame the farmers’ movement. “Some miscreants joined the protest to defame farmers’ movement. We did not plan to unfurl the flags at Red Fort, this was not our program. Deep Sidhu’s photo with the PM has floated, we had already expressed doubt over him,” stated Pandher, Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee.
Delhi Police has so far arrested 200 people today in connection with the Delhi violence and registered 22 FIRs in the matter.