READY TO TALK BUT NOT UNDER PRESSURE, FREE OUR MEN FIRST: RAKESH TIKAIT

Bharatiya Kisan Union spokesperson Rakesh Tikait on Sunday sought the release of farmers who have been arrested in connection with the violence on Republic Day for a “conducive environment” to continue talks on the Centre’s three new farm laws.

“We respect our Prime Minister and his initiative for talks with the farmers. But there won’t be any discussion on this issue without a conducive environment. We want our people to be released before anything else. There won’t be any agreement under pressure,” Tikait said, a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that his government was just a “phone call away” for discussions with the protesting farmers.

During an all-party meeting on Saturday, the PM said that the Centre’s offer to the protesting farmers of keeping the three laws in abeyance for 18 months “still stands” and that his government was “committed to reaching a solution through dialogue”.

Responding over the PM’S remarks, Tikait said: “Farmers will honour the dignity of the Prime Minister, but we are also committed to safeguarding the self-respect of our brethren.”