Haryana’s khap meeting demands farm law repeal

In a show of strength by protesting farmers, Bharatiya Kisan Union leader Rakesh Tikait on Wednesday warned the government that it could find it difficult to stay in power if the new agri-marketing laws are not repealed.

Thousands of people who attended the khap mahapanchayat in Haryana’s Jind adopted a five-point resolution which called for repeal of the three laws, constitutional guarantee of MSP, implementation of the Swaminathan Commission report, waiver on farm loans and withdrawal of cases registered against farmers following the Republic Day violence.

Just before Tikait was to begin his speech at the ‘mahapanchayat’ in Kandela village, the stage on which the farmer leaders had gathered collapsed under their weight. Nobody was reported hurt and the BKU leader went on to address the large gathering.

Calling for a “wapsi” (withdrawal) of the three new central laws, the BKU leader indirectly warned the Narendra Modi government that it could lose its gaddi (power) if the agitation continues. “We have so far talked about “bill wapsi” (repealing the farm laws). The government should listen carefully. What will you do if the youth call for “gaddi wapsi” (removal from power)?” he said

The massive turnout in different mahapanchayats has raised concerns for the BJP and given new hope to Opposition parties, especially the Congress, Rashtriya Lok Dal and the Samajwadi Party in Uttar Pradesh.