BJP MP Varun Gandhi Backs Farmers' Mahapanchayat, Calls For 'Re-Engaging In Respectful Way'

BJP MP Varun Gandhi described farmers, who have been protesting against three farm laws, as "our own flesh and blood" and suggested that the govt should re-engage with them in reaching common ground.

New Delhi: While farmers are holding a 'mahapanchayat' in Uttar Pradesh's Muzaffarnagar in protest against the Centre's controversial farm laws, BJP leader Varun Gandhi has backed the farmers calling for adopting a conciliatory line with them. He said that the government needed to revive the talks with them in a “respectful manner” and work with them in reaching a common ground.

Varun Gandhi tweeted a video of the 'mahapanchayat' saying "Lakhs of farmers have gathered in protest today, in Muzaffarnagar. They are our own flesh and blood. We need to start re-engaging with them in a respectful manner: understand their pain, their point of view, and work with them in reaching common ground."

A large number of farmers from different states on Sunday participated in a 'Kisan Mahapanchayat'. The farmers reiterated their resolution that the protest will continue till their demands, which include repeal of farm laws are accepted by the government.

Bharatiya Kisan Union media in-charge Dharmendra Malik said farmers belonging to 300 organisations spread across different states like Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab, Maharashtra, Karnataka, among others, have gathered for the event.

He said over 5,000 langars' (food stalls), including some mobile stalls, have been set up for the participants.

The farmers, including women carrying flags of different organisations and wearing different coloured caps, were seen arriving at the venue in buses, cars and tractors.

A number of medical camps have also been set up in the vicinity.

Varun Gandhi's tweet came just after his cousin and Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra declared her support to the farmers' 'mahapanchayat'. 

Priyanka Gandhi tweeted, “Farmers are the voice of this country. Farmers are the pride of the country. There is no arrogance of any power in front of the farmers’ voices. The whole country is with the farmers in the fight to save agriculture and demand the right to their hard work.”

Just days ago, Varun Gandhi had met the farmers of Pilibhit and heard their ordeal. He had also criticised Karnal SDM Ayush Sinha for his ‘break the heads’ order to policemen against protesting farmers and had called for action against him.

Meanwhile, after several rounds of talks between farmers and the Centre ended in deadlock, BKU (Arajnaitik) leader Rakesh Tikait said during the Mahapanchayat that the protest will continue till government repeals the farm laws. 

"When Govt of India will invite us for talks, we will go. The farmers' agitation will continue until the Govt fulfil our demands. The struggle for Independence continued for 90 years so I have no idea for how long this agitation will run", said Rakesh Tikait.