Bharatiya Kisan Union (Rajewal) president Balibir Singh on Saturday said farmers’ outfits were not averse to talks with the Centre and they would go for talks whenever an invitation is extended.
Asserting that the government should abandon its stubborn attitude and repeal the three new farm laws, Mr. Singh condemned the violence on the Republic Day, terming it unfortunate.
Mr. Singh said farmer agitation has recovered from the January 26 episode and people in large numbers have started coming to Delhi borders, where farmer outfits had been holding a peaceful agitation.
“It is our responsibility to keep the agitation peaceful, which we are doing. People from Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Uttarakhand are reaching the protest sites to ensure that the agitation doesn’t lose the momentum,” said Mr. Singh, addressing a press conference here. He added that in the next two to three days, people would reach the protest sites in record numbers.
Mr. Singh accused the government of attempting to provoke farmers in a bid to trigger violence at the protest sites. The stone throwing at Singhu border was also a conspiracy of the BJP-led government. The government was making all kind of efforts to defame the ongoing agitation by misleading people through false propaganda,” said Mr. Singh.
“We also condemn the Haryana government’s decision to suspend internet services,” he said.
When asked about the possibility of a meeting with the government, Mr. Singh said they would talk when a proposal came. “We don’t walk away from talks.”