There will be a major people's movement soon, says Rakesh Tikait

The government wants to create more political farm unions, said Tikait

Rakesh Tikait, Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) member and Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) leader, alleges that the government is working to break up farm unions and the SKM. In an interview with Nitin Kumar, he talks about his upcoming Mandi Bachao Andolan in Bihar and explains why the SKM has refused to join the committee formed by the Centre on minimum support price (MSP). Edited excerpts:

The SKM demanded a committee on MSP. Now that the government has created it, the SKM has refused to name its representatives. Why? 

Why doesn’t the government nominate people for these three seats (reserved for the SKM), too? Why does it need our representation in a committee that will only guarantee the discontinuation of MSP? The government should make a law to guarantee MSP and then create a committee to help its implementation. 

The current committee will suggest ways to “make MSP more effective and transparent”. This committee has nothing to do with guaranteeing MSP. The Union agriculture minister (Narendra Singh Tomar) has already said that no assurance will be given to farmers on an MSP law. So, what is the use of this committee? 

The government announced the committee a day after your (SKM’s) call to protest the delay in bringing a law on MSP. Was this the government’s strategic move to evade protest?

The government had been asking us to name SKM representatives but we demanded that the details of the committee be shared with us first. With the declaration of this committee, the government has shared details. 

Is the number of seats (three) allotted to the SKM the bone of contention?

Three seats in a committee of 29 – this doesn’t allow the proper representation of the farmer population. With three members, our representation will be just 10 per cent. Joining such a committee would only harm farmers and the country. 

Should the government give 50 per cent representation to the SKM in the committee?

This committee is not about the MSP guarantee and therefore, there is no reason for talking about the SKM’s representation. The government should first bring a law on MSP and then we will tell how much representation should be given to the SKM (in the committee to review the MSP implementation) 

Farmers should get representation equal to their population. After January 22, 2021, no government official or minister met us. The government is not able to pay farmers their due digitally but it is making committees and agreements digitally. It will be better if the government prepares a digital mechanism to transfer money instantly to farmers when they sell their crop.
 

The government’s argument is that the committee has been constituted comprising representatives of farmers, the central government, state governments, agriculture economists, scientists, etc. Some farm unions, which were not part of the SKM, are given seats on the committee. Is it fair to claim that farmers are not represented?  

Everything is on paper. It is like how elections are held in North Korea. The winner is the same dictator. 

A year ago, during the farmer agitation, the SKM comprised more than 300 farmer groups from across the country. During the recent assembly elections (Punjab and UP), some union leaders joined politics either supporting a party or contesting polls, causing a divide within the SKM. What are the major reasons for this rift?

The unions that contested elections or belong to political parties are not with the SKM. Around 22 unions, which did not contest the Assembly elections, are back in the SKM’s fold.

Rajesh Chauhan, a leader of your union (BKU) created a splinter group called BKU (Apolitical). Why do you think people from your outfit are leaving and accusing you of doing politics?

Some people are closer to the government, therefore they left. The government wants to create more political farm unions. 

Is the government also targeting the SKM? 

Yes, it is. It wants to create a new government-run SKM. 

Will we see the SKM starting protests again? 

This time people will rise against the government on the issues of inflation, unemployment, and reduction in farm income. The mass movement will start state-wise. We are starting ‘Mandi Bachao Andolan’ in Bihar and soon it will reach every state. 

This government will not understand without people coming out on the streets. Political parties cannot run this country anymore, the Opposition is too weak to fight the ruling regime. 

There will be a major people’s movement soon.