Don't Want PM Modi To Apologise, Tarnish His Reputation Abroad: Tikait On Farm Laws Repeal

"If any decision would be taken, it would not be done without the consent of farmers," Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) leader Rakesh Tikait said on re-introduction of farm laws

BKU Leader Rakesh Tikait (PTI File Photo)

New Delhi: After the withdrawal of year-long agitation, Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) leader Rakesh Tikait on Sunday commented on the issue saying farmers do not want an apology from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and that they do not want to tarnish his image abroad.

The statement comes after the repeal of three agricultural laws against which several farmers' unions had been protesting for nearly a year.

"We do not want the Prime Minister to apologize. We don't want to tarnish his reputation abroad. If any decision would be taken, it would not be done without the consent of farmers. We honestly cultivate the fields but Delhi did not pay attention to our demands," the BKU leader tweeted (roughly translated from Hindi).Koo App

हम नहीं चाहते देश का प्रधानमंत्री माफी मांगे। हम उनकी प्रतिष्ठा विदेश में खराब नहीं करना चाहते। कोई फ़ैसला होगा तो बगैर किसानों की मर्ज़ी के भारत में फ़ैसला नहीं होगा। हमने ईमानदारी से खेत में हल चलाया लेकिन दिल्ली की कलम ने भाव देने में बेईमानी की । #farmersprotest

 

- Rakesh Tikait (@Rakesh.Tikait) 26 Dec 2021

In response to the Union agriculture minister Narendra Singh Tomar's statement over the repealed farm laws, Tikait had said that the remark was intended to deceive farmers and would also humiliate the Prime Minister.

In an event at Nagpur Tomar had said: "We brought the farm laws. Some people did not like it. But the government is not disappointed. We moved a step back and we will move forward again because farmers are India's backbone and if the backbone is strengthened, the country will become stronger."

However, the minister later clarified the issue saying his statement during a programme was misquoted.

Tikait then hit back threatening to restart agitation if the farm laws are re-introduced by the Centre. The three farm laws were repealed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on November 19. These bills were passed during the winter session of Parliament which began on November 23.

The farmers, who had been protesting on the borders of Delhi against the three laws for almost a year, have suspended their agitation and returned to their homes.