Agitating farmers get support from unexpected quarters; BJP’s Varun Gandhi urges government to ‘re-engage’ with them

Tribune News Service
New Delhi, September 5

On a day the agitating farmers gathered in large numbers for a ‘kisan mahapanchayat’ in Muzaffarnagar in poll-bound Uttar Pradesh for their show of strength against the ruling BJP, they also found support from some unexpected quarters.

Describing those protesting against the three central farm laws as “our own flesh and blood”, BJP’s Pilibhit MP Varun Gandhi urged the government to “re-engage” with them in a “respectful manner”, “understand their pain and point of view” and reach a “common ground”.

Also read: Thousands of farmers gather at UP’s Muzaffarnagar for mahapanchayat

“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,” he tweeted along with a video showing the large gathering.   

As a show of strength against the Narendra Modi government in the Centre and the Adityanath government in UP, thousands of farmers attended the ‘mahapanchayat’ organised by the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) ahead of the crucial assembly polls, including in UP and Uttarakhand, the two adjoining states currently ruled by the BJP.

The Centre had held several rounds of talks with the protesting unions, insisting that they have given the farmers new and better opportunities to increase their incomes. Farmers, on the other hand, have been demanding unconditional withdrawal of the laws.