Addressing a kisan mahapanchayat in Bhiwani’s Prem Nagar village in Haryana, Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) leader Rakesh Tikait on Thursday (29 April) said that they will not leave the protest sites at Delhi borders amid rise in Covid-19 cases.

“Government is trying to muzzle the voice of farmers amid rise in Covid cases. We are ready to hold talks with the government and the same are expected to be held by November and December. Farmers in Gujarat are worst affected and if the farmers’ issue won’t be resolved, the BJP government will implement this Gujarat model across the nation,” Tikait added.

According to a report by Hindustan Times, leader of the protesting farmers Rakesh Tikait said that donations drive should be conducted to build new AIIMS instead of building Ram Mandir.

“Instead of giving donations for Ram Mandir, a donation drive should be started to build new AIIMS. The Haryana government has failed to build a medical college in Bhiwani even after remaining in power for the last six years,” he said.

Another farmer leader Gurnam Singh Charuni said that they will continue the protest even if the government imposes Section 144 of CrPC across the country.

Farmers, particularly from the states of Punjab and Haryana, have been protesting for the last five months by blocking the highways leading to Delhi. They are demanding the repeal of three agriculture reform laws enacted by the Modi government.

The three laws are Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2020, the Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance, and Farm Services Act, 2020, and the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act, 2020.