Tikait, Yogendra Yadav, Chaduni lead sit-in at Haryana police station for release of farmers
Tohana (Hr): Scores of farmers led by Rakesh Tikait, Gurnam Singh Chaduni and Samukta Kisan Morcha leader Yogendra Yadav on Saturday night staged a sit-in at Sadar police station in Fatehabad here demanding the release of fellow farmers
They had also sought the registration of a case against local JJP MLA Devender Babli for allegedly hurling abuses at them. Babli later expressed regret for uttering "inappropriate" words against farmers.
In a short video clip released on social media, Babli said he forgives those people for whatever they had done with him on June 1.
I uttered some words which were not appropriate. As I am a public representative, I take back all those words and express regret (over it), said Babli.
Earlier, Tikait, Chaduni along with protesters gathered at the police station in Fatehabad here, demanding the release of two farmers who were arrested over the gherao of Babli's residence.
They also sought the registration of a case against Babli for allegedly hurling abuses at them.
Tikait, Chaduni and their fellow protesters first assembled at the grain market here and then marched towards the police station to court arrest.
A heavy police force was deployed at the police station.
Talking to the media at the Sadar police station premises, Yadav said the issue of release of two farmers has not been resolved yet. "There is a deadlock in talks between us and the police administration," said Yadav.
"We raised two issues and the first one was that we wanted those who have been arrested should be released and if they cannot release them then we should be put behind bars," said Yadav, adding that farmers were there to court arrest.
The other matter related to alleged misbehaviour of Babli stands resolved as the legislator has tendered an apology to farmers, said Yadav.
Yadav said Babli had not lodged any complaint against two farmers --Vikas and Ravi Azad -- who had been arrested by the police.
But the government was not ready to withdraw the case against them, said Yadav.
"When we asked the police administration about the status of these two farmers," Yadav said, they were told farmers can come after two days for holding talks on this issue.
"We have come here not to listen and we came here for resolution of the issue," said Yadav.
With the Haryana police remaining adamant on its stand, Yadav said farmers have decided to stage a 'dharna' here till their issue is resolved.
"We will continue to sit in a peaceful and democratic manner," asserted Yadav.
Women along with the farmers were also staging a sit-in at the police station.
Farmers said they would mobilise more people at the police station and would also make arrangements for food and water for protesters.
Farmer leader Chaduni earlier had said "false" cases registered against farmers should also be withdrawn and a case should be lodged against Babli for "hurling abuses and misbehaving with them".
On June 1, the Jannayak Janta Party legislator had faced a protest by a group of farmers who showed black flags to him and raised slogans. Babli had alleged that some of the protesters resorted to unruly behaviour and smashed the windscreen of his SUV.
Farmers, however, accused Babli of publicly using abusive and threatening language.
Protesting farmers had on Wednesday said they would gherao all police stations across the state on June 7 if MLA Babli did not tender an apology by June 6.
Several farmer groups in the state have been opposing the public functions of the BJP-JJP leaders.
Earlier addressing the gathering at the grain market, farmer leader Tikait said their agitation against the farm laws would continue till the government repeal these laws and enact a law on MSP.
He asserted that the government would have to withdraw the three farm laws.
The government of India will have to withdraw these black laws. Be it in 2022 or 2023. The laws will be withdrawn in 2024. It is a guarantee, he said, asserting that the agitation would continue till 2024.
Talking about the alleged adverse impact on the implementation of these laws, he said one day the grains would be locked in the godowns of big people and traders.
SKM leader Yogendra Yadav also slammed the central government.
In this one year, farmers have made them realise that they understand everything and they (Centre) cannot befool farmers. The government may take as much time as it can but these laws will be scrapped, said Yadav.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Sujit Nair raises concerns over speculation of DMK-AIADMK understanding to block TVK
Chennai: Journalist and political commentator Sujit Nair has expressed concern over speculation that the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam could explore a post-poll understanding to prevent Vijay-led Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam from forming the government in Tamil Nadu.
In a social media post, Sujit Nair said the election verdict in Tamil Nadu reflected a clear public demand for political change and argued that the mandate should be respected irrespective of political preferences.
Referring to reports and political discussions surrounding a possible understanding between the DMK and AIADMK, he said he hoped such developments remained only speculative conversations and did not turn into reality.
Nair stated that if such an alliance were to take shape, it would raise serious questions about ideological politics in the country. He said TVK had emerged through a democratic electoral process and that the legitimacy to govern in a parliamentary democracy comes from the people’s verdict.
According to him, attempts to prevent an electoral winner from forming the government through unexpected political arrangements may be constitutionally valid, but many people could view them as politically opportunistic.
He further said that such a move could particularly affect the political image of the DMK, which has historically projected itself around ideology, social justice and opposition politics. Nair said that in ideological terms, the DMK appeared closer to TVK than to the AIADMK, and joining hands with its long-time political rival only to remain in power could weaken its broader political narrative.
He added that the same questions would apply to the AIADMK as well, as the party had spent decades positioning itself against the DMK and such an arrangement could create discomfort among its cadre and supporters.
Drawing a comparison with Maharashtra politics in 2019, Nair said he had expressed similar views when the Shiv Sena formed an alliance with the Indian National Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party after the Assembly elections.
He said post-poll alliances between long-standing political rivals often create a public perception that ideology and electoral mandates become secondary when political power equations come into play.
Nair also said such developments increase public cynicism towards politics and reinforce the belief among voters that ideology is often sidelined after elections.
He maintained that the Tamil Nadu verdict was emphatic and said respecting both the spirit and substance of the mandate was important for the credibility of democratic politics.
