Post R-Day Violence, Two Farmer Unions Withdraw From Protests

“I wish them best but Rashtriya Kisan Mazdoor Sangathan is withdrawing from the protest,” said spokesperson VM Singh

Image from the protest against the Centre’s farm reform laws, held on 26 January, in New Delhi.

(Photo: PTI)

Following the violence on Republic Day, Rashtriya Kisan Mazdoor Sangathan (RKSM) leader VM Singh announced on Wednesday, 27 January, that the committee is ‘withdrawing’ from the protest, as it is going in a different direction. Bharatiya Kisan Union (Bhanu) also reportedly withdrew, ending their “58-day protest.”

“I wish them best but VM Singh & Rashtriya Kisan Mazdoor Sangathan are withdrawing from the protest,” Singh said in a press meet, ANI quoted, further saying that a protest would continue until the farmers get MSP guarantee.

“The protest will not go on in this form with me. We have not come here to get people martyred or beaten up,” Singh added, as several policemen and protestors were severely injured and one farmer died during the protests on Tuesday.

He disassociated himself from the protest that is being represented by Rakesh Tikait, saying, “I have nothing to do with the protest which is being led by them and over here being represented by Rakesh Tikait on their behalf.”

The president of ‘Bhanu’, Thakur Bhanu Pratap Singh, at Chilla border also expressed that it pained him deeply to see what had happened in Delhi, and announced that he is ending the union’s 58-day long protest, ANI reported.

Earlier, VM Singh had called the violence “shameful” and said that RKMS had “come for MSP, not hooliganism.”

AIKSCC Reacts to Statement

All India Kisan Sangharsh Coordination Committee (AIKSCC) on Wednesday released a press statement in reaction to VM Singh’s statement.

“The National Working Group of All India Kisan Sangharsh Coordination Committee, its highest decision making body, condemns and disassociates itself from a statement made to the media by Sri VM Singh after his press conference today. The statement was neither authorised by AIKSCC nor did it follow the protocols of decision making by the Working Group.”

The statement added that the Working Group of AIKSCC calls for a legal guarantee of Minimum Support Price and a repeal of the three farmer laws, and said, “AIKSCC stands shoulder to shoulder with the farmers movement. Any attempt to hold parallel negotiations with the Govt. amounts to sabotaging a historic movement of the farmers.”

“The Working Group of AIKSCC appeals to all the farmer leaders of the country to unite and not give-in to the desperate diversionary and divisive attempts by this anti-farmer regime”, read the statement.

The statement was signed by 16 members, including Yogendra Yadav, Medha Patkar and Avik Saha.

The ‘Kisan Gantantra Parade’ in the national capital on Tuesday was supposed to be a peaceful show of strength and protest by the farmers who have been agitating against the Centre’s three farm laws for the past two months. However, clashes broke out in several parts of the capital, including the Red Fort and ITO area.

(With inputs from ANI)