- By Sahelee Rakshit
- Mon, 16 Dec 2024 08:59 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Farmers Protest: Rakesh Tikait, the leader of Samyukta Kisan Morcha, urged unity among farmers' groups for a combined battle as Punjab farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal's fast-unto-death entered its twenty-first day. He warned, "Batoge to Lutoge."
Yogi Adityanath's election slogan, "Batoge to Katoge," is similar to the phrase "Batoge to Lutoge" (If you don't unify, you will be defeated). Tikait voiced worries about Dallewal's health amid the appeals for togetherness.
"If you don't unite, you will be defeated; all must remain united," Tikait said, reiterating the significance of farmers' groups remaining united for a united struggle in support of their demands during his meeting with Dallewal in Khanauri last week.
70-year-old Dallewal has been on fast-unto-death since November 26 at the Khanauri border crossing between Punjab and Haryana.
He is insisting that the Centre grant the demands of the agitated farmers, including a legislative guarantee of the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for crops.
Tikait's Intention Behind 'Batoge To Lutoge' Slogan
The 'Delhi Chalo' march is being led by farmers who, under the guidance of Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha, have been camping at the border points of Shambhu and Khanauri since February 13 after police stopped their march to the capital.
Tikait thinks that until all farmer groups work together and develop a plan, individual organisations—whether from Punjab, Rajasthan, or Uttar Pradesh—calling for a "Delhi Chalo" march won't produce the intended outcomes.
In response to a question last week about whether all of the groups that came together to form the SKM during the protests against the now-repealed farm laws should come together to effectively defend farmers' rights, Tikait stated, "We have formed a committee that will communicate with these groups, and that a plan for future actions would be created."
Meanwhile, farmers in Haryana expressed their concerns over Dallewal's health earlier today by staging tractor marches in support of the farmers demonstrating at the border crossings of Khanauri and Shambhu.